Trump’s Patriot Games — an ‘American Gladiators’ type competitors for teenagers

Calling all drill seekers!

The Patriot Games — President Trump’s televised teen athletic competition subsequent month in Ohio — will characteristic a “military-inspired boot camp circuit,” in response to nationwide recruitment emails reviewed by The Post.

The video games may even characteristic facets of traditional American sports activities — soccer, basketball, soccer and monitor — with made-for-TV twists, and $250,000 in faculty scholarship cash on the road in the course of the Aug. 9 -11 spectacle to have a good time the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“The competition will include rounds that test excellence in skillsets of beloved American sports,” one of many emails reads.

High college college students ages 14-17 from across the nation shall be chosen to compete in particular person and crew challenges testing energy, endurance, agility and technique, in response to the emails.

“It’s kind of like the ‘Ninja Warrior’ games,” mentioned actor Dean Cain, who performed Superman within the Nineteen Nineties TV collection “Lois & Clark” and as soon as competed on “American Gladiators.”

“It’s just a great opportunity for young people,” mentioned Cain, who has been selling the occasion on-line.

“It encourages patriotism. I think encourages fitness and competition. Those are all wonderful things,” he advised The Post.

The fruits of the competitors will mirror the affect of each these TV competitors reveals. Finalists will compete in an impediment course designed to check technique and ability.

President Trump introduced the video games in 2025, lengthy earlier than he hosted a UFC battle on the South Lawn of the White House. The sports activities fan-in-chief — who visited the Super Bowl and the NBA finals throughout his present time period — is ready to be there.

“It was really the president’s idea,” mentioned America250 spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez. “He wanted to highlight what does the next generation bring to the table.”

High college college students are being invited to use and submit video statements, and the administration will choose the winners — drawing some needling on-line from critics who examine the occasion to “The Hunger Games” films.

But Cain, a former security for the Princeton Tigers soccer crew, smacked down such criticisms.

“Oh gosh! Well let me see. We’re not going to kill anybody. People are actually asking to be there. We don’t ask for tribute,” he quipped. “We’re encouraging people to be healthy, to be fit, to compete, and to represent your state and your country well.”

The two female and male champs will break up $250,000 in scholarship funds.

But don’t anticipate tennis ball-shooting weapons and large foam props that contestants used to battle one another on “American Gladiator.” Organizers say there are not any plans to make use of them.

Planners employed a advisor who works on the “American Ninja Warrior” present, mentioned Cain. The occasion shall be held on the Spire Academy, a boarding college in Geneva, Ohio — a battleground state that Trump carried.

It gained’t characteristic full soccer video games, however as an alternative shorter bursts of competitors testing meant to winnow those that can compete strategically, in response to the emails.

“We are focused on highlighted well-rounded student athletes. Some of the events will test strength and speed, while others will focus on skill and strategy,” mentioned Alvarez.

Because the scholars are making use of on-line and submitting video statements about themselves, it’s anticipated that ESPN will use the fabric to construct actuality show-style profiles of the opponents.

“You want to see character. You want to see commitment, strategy. You want to see and really hear an original and compelling story,” mentioned Alvarez.