By SUZANNE DOWNING
May 11, 2026 – For most members of Congress, a visit to the White House is notable. But for Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, this one carried a personal connection that stretched back to his college days in Indiana.
Begich, who earned his MBA from Indiana University, joined President Donald Trump on the White House lawn as the university’s football team was honored for its historic national championship season. He brought his son with him — Nick Begich IV.
The event celebrated what Trump called one of the greatest seasons in the history of Indiana football: an undefeated, untied run that delivered the program’s first national title.
“This was a year that will live forever in the hearts of Indiana football fans,” Trump said during remarks outside the White House. “The Hoosiers delivered the program’s first ever undefeated, untied season and capped it off with their first-ever national title.”
Nearby was Begich, accompanied by Nick IV, as players and coaches gathered around the president alongside the championship trophies.
For Begich, the moment blended politics, family, and school pride. The Alaska congressman has maintained ties to Indiana University, where he completed his graduate degree before returning to Alaska and eventually launching his successful run for Congress.
Trump made a point of acknowledging Begich during the ceremony, another sign of the growing relationship between the president and Alaska’s freshman congressman.
Begich has increasingly found himself in the president’s orbit during the early months of Trump’s second term. Just last week, Begich was in the Oval Office with other House members for the announcement of the administration’s “Trump IRA” initiative, aimed at expanding retirement savings access for American workers.
The White House described that effort as a push to encourage private savings and investment opportunities for working Americans.
White House announcement on Trump IRA initiative
As for Alaskans, whose congressman’s first months in Congress have already included a series of high-profile appearances with the president, the event is a reminder that Begich’s national profile continues to rise far beyond Alaska.
7 thoughts on “Trump gives Congressman Nick Begich a shout out at White House celebration”
Receiving more a classical traditional and better education outside of Alaska really shows a difference in US Congressman’s son. Having a better education delivery gives the refinement, style, and maturity that All of Alaska’s k-12 students should demonstrate. The education that US Congress kids are receiving is the education that All kids deserve. And Don’t think that it’s because Ak education needs more money, no it doesn’t. It has more than enough even more than most of the states put into its education. Ak education dept is a pig and you can dress a pig up but it’ll still act like a pig.
It would be nice to go out anywhere in Alaska and Ak kids instead of looking like they just rolled out of bed; they could look they stylish, smart, mature, and refined instead of looking like a dirty orphan.
Love it. NB1 and NB2 are so proud.
NB3 and NB4 are destined for BIG things.
Mark,
Are you going NB crazy on me? Now that you’re in Dunleavy’s back pocket, I don’t even know who to trust in this family anymore.
NB3 is doing a great job for all Alaskans. I’m also glad that the family is together in DC. AK is to far away from DC.
The president can trust NB3. He, NB3 is proving that he has we the people’s needs first. Lets keep him in office. The opponent, Mary, did nothing. Most the time she didn’t bother to show up and vote.
Go Nick. Blessings, W.
“ Begich has increasingly found himself in the president’s orbit during the early months of Trump’s second term”. Gawd knows why Begich isn’t backpedaling on his association with Trump. Trump is poison.
Oh no, Nick! You just received the Kiss of Death from Trump! The pendulum has swung and your political career may be in danger if you get too close to Trump. He is becoming toxic nowadays.
Correction to the photo title . The name of the university is Indiana University not university of Indiana which is in Pennsylvania.