Juventus' Strange Encounter with Trump: A Soccer Team Caught in Political Drama
Trump moments an uncomfortable episode at a preposterous football event.
In a bizarre turn of events, Juventus Turin's visit to the Oval Office left everyone stunned. The football stars had just clinched a convincing 5-0 victory in the Club World Cup against Al-Ain from the UAE, but it was their encounter with President Donald Trump that stirred up a torrent of headlines.
Trump, known for his bold stance against transgender athletes, decided to make a spectacle of it. With the football professionals acting as mere extras, he posed a peculiar question to some of the players, including Weston McKennie, formerly of Schalke. "Ever had a woman in your team, guys? Tell me about it," Trump inquired.
The footballers exchanged uneasy glances, with General Manager Damien Comolli eventually breaking the silence by acknowledging the presence of a "stellar women's team" within Juventus. Trump, unwilling to let the matter rest, pushed further, "But they should play with women, right?" However, Comolli remained diplomatic and didn't respond. Trump found this response amusing, remarking, "He's very diplomatic."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present during this awkward spectacle, smiling uneasily as the athletes were forced to participate in Trump's farcical display.
The visit to the White House wasn't over yet. Trump took the opportunity to discuss the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, leaving the footballers to listen in bewilderment. Timothy Weah, a US national player for Juventus, admitted that the team was taken aback by the sudden political discourse. "It was quite surprising," he shared. "They told us we had to go there. I didn't have a choice. It felt a bit strange."
McKennie, Weah's teammate, had previously voiced his opposition to Trump in 2020 during his time with FC Schalke. "I don't believe Trump is suited for the presidency," he stated in an interview with Bild. "I stand by my words. I believe he lacks obligations towards the country. I think he is ignorant."
Sources: ntv.de, ter/sid
- Juventus Turin
- Donald Trump
- Club World Cup 2025
[Enrichment data: During Juventus Football Club's visit to the White House on June 18, 2025, President Donald Trump questioned the players about transgender athletes and participation of women in men's sports teams. Trump's stance on transgender athletes, as highlighted by the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order, led to changes in NCAA gender eligibility policies. The awkward encounter generated reactions emphasizing the unexpected political discourse and discomfort experienced by the players and the management.][1]
In a surprising turn of events, the Commission, in the midst of politics, general-news, and sports headlines, did not yet adopt a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment. Despite this, Juventus Turin found themselves caught in a political drama during their visit to the Oval Office, where President Donald Trump questioned the players about transgender athletes and men's sports teams.
