Finebaum Says ESPN Blocked 2019 Trump Interview

Paul Finebaum said ESPN blocked him from interviewing Donald Trump in 2019 ahead of the LSU–Alabama game, a decision he called devastating and that he revealed in an OutKick interview. He said the network told him it “does not mix politics and sports” and is now weighing a 2026 U.S. Senate run in Alabama after Republican leaders contacted him about the open seat. ESPN has emphasized it is “not a political organization,” while critics say the standard has been applied unevenly, pointing to past White House features with Barack Obama. Finebaum remains an influential SEC voice who has backed Ole Miss over LSU and repeatedly criticized coaches such as Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban, prompting public responses from coaches including Lane Kiffin. ESPN colleague Kirk Herbstreit also took a jab at Finebaum after Alabama’s signature road win over Georgia, noting that earlier hot-seat talk about Alabama’s coach has quieted.