Donald Trump’s question about trans athletes shocks Juventus FC players during White House visit
WASHINGTON, DC: A visit meant to celebrate soccer took an unexpected turn in the Oval Office on June 18, when President Donald Trump left professional players visibly stunned and uncomfortable with a pointed remark about transgender athletes.
During the visit, Trump also stunned guests, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Juventus representatives, and players Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, by asking if women could make the men’s team, a comment seen as a jab at transgender athletes.
The US is hosting the FIFA Club World Cup, an international soccer tournament organized by FIFA featuring club teams from around the world.
Donald Trump asks Juventus players, 'Could a woman make your team?'
Ahead of the match, several Juventus players visited the White House, where they met with President Donald Trump alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office, as per Sportsbible.
During the meeting, Trump directed his first question to American midfielder Weston McKennie, bringing up the topic of transgender athletes.
"Could a woman make your team, fellas? Tell me, you think?" Trump asked, prompting a stunned look from McKennie, who turned to teammate Tim Weah. Italian midfielder Manuel Locatelli eventually offered a polite, “Yeah,” to which Trump replied, “You’re being nice.”
He then addressed the team’s leadership: “What do you think, think a woman could make the team? General managers, what do you think?”
Juventus general manager Damien Comolli responded, “We have a very good women’s team.”
Trump replied, “You do have it, but they should be playing with women. It’s one of those things. See, they’re very diplomatic.”
Donald Trump takes step to block transgender athletes in California
Trump’s remarks to the professional soccer players came just weeks after his proposed legislation to ban transgender women, referred to in the bill as "biological males", from competing in women’s sports failed to pass in the Senate.
The bill, which sought to prohibit trans women and girls from participating in school sports teams designated for females across the country, stalled amid strong opposition from Senate Democrats, as per DailyMail.
On May 27, Trump took to Truth Social to voice his frustration, criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom and claiming the state “illegally” allows transgender women to compete in female sports.
He said, "California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow “MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.”
Without naming the student, he reported a “transitioned male athlete” had dominated a major event and qualified for the state finals, despite being “less than average” as a male competitor.
He shared, "This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won “everything,” and is now qualified to compete in the “State Finals” next weekend. As a Male, he was a less than average competitor."
Trump called the situation “unfair” adding, "As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to."
He concluded by sharing, "The Governor, himself, said it is “UNFAIR.” I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!"
