Donald Trump Has Awkward Moment with Juventus While Addressing Transgender Athletes
Former President Donald Trump found himself in an uncomfortable exchange with members of Italian soccer team Juventus during a recent White House event, as he addressed the topic of transgender athletes in sports.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has issued a series of controversial executive orders targeting the transgender community. Among them: a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military and a directive mandating that transgender women be housed in male prisons.
Most recently, Trump signed an order on February 5 that prohibits transgender women from competing in female sports — a move that has sparked heated debate across the political and athletic spectrum.
During the Juventus visit, the President’s remarks on the matter reportedly created tension in the room, with attendees appearing visibly uncomfortable as the conversation shifted away from the celebratory nature of the visit and toward his administration’s divisive policies.
‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ is the order that wants the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ‘change everything having to do with the Olympics and having to do with this absolutely ridiculous subject’ ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Speaking before signing the controversial order, Trump said: “From now on, women’s sports will be only for women.
“We’ve gotten the woke lunacy out of our military and now we’re getting it out of women’s sports.”
Donald Trump welcomed the Juventus players to the White House (X/@FootbalIHub)
The topic came to a head once again during a meeting with the Juventus soccer players while they were visiting the political building during the FIFA World Cup.
In footage circulating social media, Juventus players and staff could be seen visibly uncomfortable on Wednesday (June 18) when Trump asked them their views on transgender women in soccer.
The Italian football team were seen standing behind the president as he asked them: “Could a woman make your team, fellas.”
Trump quizzed the players (X/@FootbalIHub)
Many players gave a smile in response, but did not offer words to the POTUS regarding his question.
When Trump asked the question again, Juventus’ general manager Damien Comolli deflected the comment, stating: “We have a very good women’s team.”
To this, Trump quipped: “But they should be playing with women.”
When Comolli chose not to comment, Trump said: “He’s being very diplomatic.”
Online, people admitting to being happy with the team’s response.
One person on X said: “The players actually thought it was funny. We know this hurts you. That’s funny too.”
Another wrote: “Crazy when a soccer team is more diplomatic than the President of the United States.”
Someone else said of Trump: “Wow what a sleeze bag!”
Earlier this year, the president had a heated debate with Maine governor Janet Mills over his order to ban trans athletes from competing in women’s sports.
On February 21, Trump told Mills she must comply with the order and threatened to pull funding from the state if she refused, including federal funds for administrative and technological functions in schools.
The president told her: “We are federal law, you better do it. You better do it, because you’re not going to get federal funding… Your population doesn’t want men in women’s sports.”
Mills replied: “We’ll see you in court.”
“Good. I’ll see you in court. I’ll look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.” Trump said. “And enjoy your life after, governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”
