Trump says strained voice a result of yelling at 'stupid' foreign negotiators over trade dispute
.@POTUS: "I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade and a country and I straightened it out — but I blew my stack at these people, they were so stupid." 🤣 https://t.co/GyVcwCq8Cj pic.twitter.com/DeXcS269zs
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 17, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, November 17, said his hoarse voice was the result of “shouting” at foreign officials during a trade dispute. Yet he insisted that he was “feeling great” despite strained vocal cords.
His hoarse voice was noticed by reporters during a meeting of the White House FIFA World Cup 2026 task force.
When asked about what happened to his voice by a reporter at the Oval Office, Trump said, “I feel great, I was shouting at people, because they were stupid about something having to do with trade in a country, and I straightened that out.”
Trump says he lost his voice trying to settle a trade agreement
Trump said a foreign government had tried to revisit the terms of a trade agreement, prompting a heated exchange. “But I blew my stack at these people.”
Pressed for more details, he offered only, “A country wanted to renegotiate the terms of their trade deal, and I wasn’t happy about it.”
But he refused to identify the country when a reporter pressed him to name the country. “Why would I say that to you?” he shot back.
World Cup preparations take center stage
The remarks came as Trump welcomed World Cup organizers and administration officials for a briefing regarding the United States’ preparations to co-host the 2026 tournament with Canada and Mexico.
Calling it “the largest sporting event ever staged,” Trump touted record demand for the expanded 104-match competition, noting that six to seven million tickets are expected to be sold.
.@POTUS meets with the FIFA task force: "The World Cup will also be an incredibly significant economic opportunity for countless American workers and businesses. It’s expected to drive more than $30 billion..." pic.twitter.com/Zpx5jfpFyY
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 17, 2025
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said many matches have already reached sellout levels, and described the tournament as “historic.”
Trump shares plan to prioritize visa appointments for foreign ticketholders
Trump also highlighted the administration’s plan to prioritize visa appointments for foreign ticketholders, a move he said would help fans travel more easily to the US.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the group that visa wait times had been cut sharply, with reportedly more than 80% of countries now waiting under 60 days. The special system for World Cup visitors would speed up interviews while maintaining full vetting.
The tournament is expected to generate $30–40 billion in economic activity, with Trump predicting “an economic boom the likes of which has never seen.”
Homeland Security advisers briefed him on enhanced screening technology and federal security grants for host cities.
Trump again warned that matches could be moved if any city fails to guarantee safety, “If we think there’s going to be trouble… we will move the event somewhere where it will be safe.”
