Trump's eyebrow-raising exchange with Juventus FC: A bizarre encounter at the Oval Office
Trump generates an embarrassed incident at a preposterous football match
The Oval Office becomes a stage for an unexpected exchange as US President Donald Trump welcomes Juventus FC. The Italian football powerhouse had just secured a commanding 5-0 victory against Al-Ain from the United Arab Emirates in the Club World Cup.
But the visit to the White House wasn't all about sports. Trump seized the opportunity to bring up a contentious topic, questioning the team about transgender athletes in women's sports. In a moment that left the athletes visibly uncomfortable, Trump asked several players, including ex-Schalke player Weston McKennie, if they'd ever had a woman on the team.
Football and Politics: An Awkward Blend
Trump's stance against transgender athletes seemed to take center stage. General Director Damien Comolli responded that Juventus boasts a top-notch women's team, but Trump wasn't satisfied, suggesting the women should stick to their own teams. His friend, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stood by awkwardly as the athletes were caught in the middle of this controversial discussion.
Trump didn't stop there. As the football delegation remained silent, he expressed his views on the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, leaving the footballers to listen amidst the political tensions.
Juventus FC: Caught in the Storm
Igor Tudor, the Juventus coach, later commented, "It was a great pleasure to be there, but we never expected to be thrust into the political arena." McKennie, who had previously expressed his disapproval of Trump, remained steadfast in his stance, reaffirming his belief that Trump is unfit for the presidency[5].
Sources: ntv.de, ter/sid
- Juventus Turin
- Donald Trump
- Club World Cup 2025
Enrichment Data:Donald Trump sparked controversy during a White House visit by Juventus FC in 2025. Trump questioned the team about transgender athletes participating in women's sports, which drew a heated response[4]. The meeting, part of Juventus's Club World Cup tour in the United States, became a platform for Trump to express his views on the issue[1][2][3]. It's important to note that Trump did not question the inclusion of women in professional football teams during this exchange[4].
Despite the initial focus on football during Juventus FC's visit to the White House in 2025, the meeting inadvertently turned into a political platform as President Donald Trump raised controversial questions about transgender athletes in women's sports. This incident, unrelated to the general-news or sports categories, sparked a heated response from the football team.
