Trump dwarfed by 7'9" Florida basketball star Olivier Rioux as images of Oval Office interaction go viral
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump met 7'9" tall basketball player Olivier Rioux on Wednesday, May 21, as the Florida Gators visited the White House to celebrate their national championship.
White House communications advisor Margo Martin shared a video of Trump meeting the giant as he took note of the 19-year-old's incredible height and said, "To be that tall, I think it's great."
President @realDonaldTrump meets Olivier Rioux, 7-foot-9 Florida Gators basketball player! 🏀🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cH2eB2XfGf
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 21, 2025
Trump meets 7-footer basketball player Olivier Rioux in Oval Office
During their meeting, Trump also asked if Rioux, who did not play in the Gators' national championship game win over Houston, was a good player when someone off-camera said he was "getting there", according to Daily Mail.
Trump then said of Rioux's height, "Boy what a big advantage, huh?"
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Later, Trump spoke in the East Room while the Gators gathered behind him, as he and coach Todd Golden held up a "Trump 47" Florida jersey for a picture, per the outlet.
Reportedly, the Quebec native stood at 6 foot 1 inch by age eight, and 6 foot 11 by sixth grade, according to Daily Mail.
Notably, the POTUS has welcomed a bevy of sports champions since his return to office in January 2025 for his second run.
Trump welcomed the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on April 28, as the Ohio State Buckeyes football team visited him a couple of weeks earlier on April 14.
Interestingly, Trump had also invited the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win in 2020, as they were unable to visit him due to the Covid-19 pandemic, per Daily Mail.
Internet loses it as Trump gets dwarfed by 7'9" Florida basketball star
Several internet users chimed in and reacted as Trump got dwarfed when he met 7'9" tall basketball player Olivier Rioux when the Florida Gators visited the White House on Wednesday.
A user wrote on X, "That's one tall Gator! Go Gators!" while one added, "That guys suit has enough fabric to make three regular suits."
That guys suit has enough fabric to make three regular suits.
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) May 21, 2025
A person also stated, "Wow. That is seriously tall. I wonder what Barron looks like next to him," whereas one mentioned, "I can't imagine being that tall. When Trump is sitting, he is as tall as Olivier's waist."
Wow. That is seriously tall. I wonder what Barron looks like next to him.
— FreedomHealth (@LaughlandMorgan) May 21, 2025
I can't imagine being that tall. When Trump is sitting, he is as tall as Olivier's waist.
— Brent D Gifford (@brentdgifford) May 21, 2025
A user also wrote, "Should set up a play date with him and Baron," while commented, "Actually rare someone is that tall and talented athletically. Usually not the case. Over 7 starts seeing coordination issues. Cool doesn't have it."
Actually rare someone is that tall and talented athletically. Usually not the case. Over 7 starts seeing coordination issues. Cool doesn't have it.
— ./.-//.//|..///.- (@18ipmg) May 21, 2025
A person also added, "That is a hella tall man!" whereas one mentioned, "Two giants in their own lanes meeting face to face moments like this make history feel a little more human."
Two giants in their own lanes meeting face to face moments like this make history feel a little more human
— Gina Barfield (@barfield_gina) May 22, 2025
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online
