Trump trolled for mispronouncing Tua Tagovailoa’s name during WH speech: 'Just a massive vowel movement'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has once again become the subject of online mockery, this time from NFL fans, after awkwardly mispronouncing Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s name during a White House speech on Thursday, July 31.

While announcing members of the revamped Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, the Republican leader attempted to praise Tagovailoa but ended up butchering his name in a moment that quickly went viral.

The incident sparked a wave of ridicule across social media, with fans blasting the president for his apparent unfamiliarity with one of the NFL’s biggest names.

NFL fans roast Donald Trump over Tua Tagovailoa's name

During the event, Donald Trump tried to mention the Dolphins quarterback, calling him “fantastic,” but struggling through the pronunciation of his surname. “Tua Tag‑Oh‑vah‑lia,” the president said, misplacing key syllables in the 27-year-old's Hawaiian-Polynesian name.

The slip-up was instantly picked apart by football fans online, many of whom expressed disbelief that a public figure of Trump’s stature couldn’t pronounce the name correctly.

Social media was quick to pounce on the gaffe. One commented, “This dude is an idiot,” while another said, “He don’t watch sports.”

A person quipped, "Just a massive vowel movement."

Others chimed in with, “Bro does not know ball at all,” and “Bro can’t read.”

Some fans, however, defended Trump, pointing out the difficulty of the name. Comments included, “It’s a tough name to say,” and “Almost everyone couldn't pronounce that properly. I still can't.”

One wrote, "Be honest, if you don't watch football and have heard it pronounced, you don't know how either."

"Better than I could I have pronounced," another said.

The moment gained traction not just among fans but also on sports pages and memes, with people sharing the video clip repeatedly, making it one of the standout viral moments of the week.

While defenders pointed out that even professional broadcasters have stumbled over the name in the past, critics saw it as yet another example of Trump appearing unprepared or out of touch.

Donald Trump praises Tua Tagovailoa as 'a great guy', promotes youth fitness

Despite the mispronunciation, Donald Trump offered kind words for Tua Tagovailoa’s performance and character. “He’s fantastic, when he’s not injured,” Trump said. “He’s great… he’s a great guy.”

The quarterback was among the athletes the president named to the new Presidential Council, alongside NFL stars Saquon Barkley and Harrison Butker.

The event, meant to promote youth fitness and spotlight top athletic role models, was part of Trump’s push to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test, which was disbanded by the Obama administration in 2012, and reenergize sports programs across American schools.

Tagovailoa has become one of the most recognized quarterbacks in the NFL and a prominent figure in conversations around athlete wellness and youth inspiration. His name, though challenging for some, has increasingly entered mainstream familiarity through repeated broadcast use and cultural visibility.

Trump’s misstep inadvertently highlighted the importance of name pronunciation in public discourse, especially when addressing influential cultural figures.

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