Not Quite Sports Talk: Trump's Questionable Moment with Juventus
Trump creates an embarrassing scenario at a preposterous football match.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link The Oval Office becomes the unlikely venue for a heated sports Q&A as President Donald Trump grills the Juventus Turin team. The Italian squad dominates the Club World Cup with a massive 5-0 win against Al-Ain.
Juventus Turin certainly had the last laugh after their Club World Cup opener, defeating Al-Ain from the UAE 5-0 (4-0). But the real headlines made during their meeting with Trump cannot be understated. The players were mere spectators, but when given a podium by President Trump, the owner of a controversial policy on transgender athletes, he turned the attention towards them, questioning their team dynamics. "Give it to me straight, fellas. Have any of you ever had a woman in the team? Spill the beans."
Soccer "Clueless" Trump and FIFA's Infantino in ugly spotlight Trump seemed intent on reiterating his stance on transgender athletes, causing a cringe-worthy moment among the football professionals. General Director Damien Comolli eventually spoke up, mentioning that the club boasted a "killer" women's team. Juventus had recently clinched the championship. However, Trump didn't seem content with that answer: "But shouldn't they play with other women?" he inquired, to which Comolli remained silent. Trump expressed his frustration: "Bloody diplomat." Gerard Infantino, FIFA's powerful President, also found himself in the uncomfortable spotlight, awkwardly smiling as the athletes were unwillingly thrust into the limelight.
World Politics Muscling In on Stadium Warm-ups
Unfortunately for the discomforted football delegation, their ordeal didn't end there. Trump went on to express his perspective on the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, leaving the players no choice but to stand silently behind him. "I haven't made up my mind yet whether we'll invade Iran," Trump said. "Maybe there'll be a coup, we'll see."
Sports Focus Backlash Against the Club World Cup Selection: Controversial Team Choices Juventus coach Igor Tudor later stated, "It was a privilege to meet the President, although I have to admit I wasn't entirely comfortable with what transpired." US national player Weston McKennie, who previously expressed his disdain for Trump in 2020 (while playing for Schalke), echoed this sentiment: "He's about as qualified for the Presidency as a hamster running a Ferrari shop. I've never wavered from these opinions." McKennie also considered Trump a racist.
Source: ntv.de, ter/sid
- Juventus Turin
- Donald Trump
- Club World Cup 2025
- Enrichment Data:
- Trump's question about women in the team was perceived as an attempt to bait the players into endorsing his views on transphobia.
- President Trump has a policy impacting transgender athletes in the US.
- The awkward moment received widespread attention on social media.
- Comolli responded that Juventus had a "very good women's team" when asked about the topic.
- Trump's friend, FIFA President Gerard Infantino, was also involved in the uncomfortable exchange.
- McKennie had previously expressed his negative opinion of Trump, labeling him as unfit for office and a racist.
The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment amidst the headlines about the awkward exchange between Juventus players and President Trump, who questioned the team about women in the team during their meeting in the Oval Office. The politics surrounding transgender athletes and Trump's stance on the issue continued to dominate the general news, with the football club's owner and FIFA's President finding themselves in an uncomfortable spotlight.
