Trump Blurs Lines Between Politics and Sport at FIFA Event

At a recent White House event celebrating FIFA’s upcoming U.S.-hosted World Cup, President Donald Trump—never one to miss a mic or a moment—decided to turn a soccer meet-and-greet into political halftime show. And in true Trumpian fashion, the real headliners weren’t FIFA officials or MLS stars, but Juventus players flown in for what was supposed to be a ceremonial photo op… not a campaign rally.

In front of the South Lawn backdrop, Trump thanked the Italian club for “respecting American values,” then pivoted to jabs at the Biden administration, the U.S. women’s national team, and even “fake fouls”—which, depending on your politics, may or may not be metaphors for CNN.

Critics were quick to call it out: athletes, they argue, aren’t campaign props, and turning global sports diplomacy into a sideshow risks undermining the very unity events like FIFA are meant to promote. Former U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati politely called it “off-script,” while ESPN’s panel went full red card on the optics.

This isn’t Trump’s first foray into the world of sports showmanship. From NFL kneeling drama to inviting fast-food buffets for championship teams, he’s long seen sports as an American identity stage. But importing Juventus? That’s a new play altogether.

Still, in an election year, everything’s fair game—including foreign soccer stars who probably just wanted a White House selfie and some tourist photos.

Let’s be real—this isn’t new, and it’s barely news. Politicians have used athletes, celebrities, babies, puppies, and parades as photo ops since cameras were invented. Trump just does it with extra flair and fewer filters. Whether it’s FIFA or a farm visit, it’s always about the optics. Juventus showing up at the White House isn’t the downfall of democracy—it’s just the latest in a long line of “smile and wave” moments. Scroll on.