Trump's Amusing Wrestle with Juventus: Women in Sports and Politics at the Oval Office
Trump creates an uncanny scene at a bizarre football match
Stepping into a blend of sports and politics, Juventus Turin found themselves in the hot seat during a whimsical encounter at the Oval Office with Donald Trump. After annihilating Al-Ain from the United Arab Emirates 5-0 (4:0) in the Club World Cup, Juventus paid a visit to the White House, only to be confronted with an absurd question by the US President.
Trump, who infamously issued a decree banning transgender athletes from women's sports in February, gathered the football professionals around him for some unexpected exchanges. As the press sat in anticipation, Trump raised an eyebrow and prodded the athletes: "Okay, guys, ever had a woman on your team? Spill the beans.”
The football professionals, visibly uncomfortable, remained silent, as Team Director Damien Comolli stepped up to answer: "We've got a cracking women's team here, sir." Trump, not to be deterred, pushed further: "But they should play with other women, right?" Comolli offered a diplomatic reply, leaving Trump to comment on his tact. The scene was joined by Gianni Infantino, the powerful FIFA President, who appeared awkward while the footballers were caught in a real-life farce.
A Political Monologue and a Football Delegation's Nightmare
As the football delegation was made to function as a political backdrop, Trump continued to ramble on, delving into the escalating Iran-Israel conflict: "I haven't quite made up my mind yet whether we're going to attack Iran. There might be a regime change, we'll see.”
In retrospect, Juventus coach Igor Tudor described the experience as a "great privilege," while US national player Weston McKennie, who was once part of Schalke, had made his distaste for Trump clear in 2020: "I don't believe Trump should be President. I stand by those words. He hasn't grasped the weight of his responsibility for the whole country. I view him as ignorant. If you want to call him a racist, I won't argue.”
Sources: ntv.de, ter/sid
Juventus Turin, Donald Trump, Club World Cup 2025
- Political Rumble: During a memorable meeting at the White House in 2025, Donald Trump posed questions about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports to members of the Juventus football team, causing discomfort and contention among the athletes[1][2]. The encounter, which took place during the Club World Cup, brought the ongoing debate on transgender athlete policies into the forefront of sports and politics[2].
- Unwitting Pawns: Timothy Weah, a US international on the Juventus team, labeled the meeting as "pretty weird"[2]. In 2020, whilst still playing for FC Schalke, Weah had made his position on Trump clear: "He's not the right man for the job of President. I stand by those words. I don't believe he understands his responsibility to the country. I believe he's ignorant."[1]
- Iran-Israel Conflict: Beyond the controversy, the meeting was also marred by Trump's political ramblings on the Iran-Israel conflict, a highly sensitive topic that brought discomfort to the Juventus players present[1][2].
Despite the overwhelming focus on politics during their meeting at the White House, the Juventus football team had not yet been confronted with a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment.In the midst of discussions about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports, it is unlikely that the topic of football would have been raised by President Trump.
