During a match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Donald Trump made a surprise appearance as Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. The former president joined the post-match celebrations on the pitch, where his presence drew boos from the crowd after he appeared on the big screen.
Although FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also there, he stepped away from the players while Trump remained beside them during the trophy ceremony. Trump’s refusal to leave left many players confused, with Chelsea star Cole Palmer reportedly asking Reece James, “Wait, what’s he doing?”
Palmer later admitted he expected Trump to be at the match but was shocked to see him standing with the team during the trophy lift. Fans online criticized the moment, with one Reddit user comparing Trump to a child trying to blow out someone else’s birthday candles.
Trump gave an interview to DAZN, calling the match an “upset” and praising FIFA for the growth of soccer in the U.S. He also described Infantino as a friend and said the tournament was a “big thing.”
Body language expert Darren Stanton observed that while Reece James seemed focused on celebrating, Cole Palmer looked visibly confused by Trump’s presence. Stanton also noted Trump’s “fake smile” and awkward attempts to join in the excitement.
The real twist came after the match: Trump revealed that the trophy James held was a replica. FIFA had let Trump keep the original, valued at $230,000, in the Oval Office permanently.
Trump claimed Infantino told him, “You can have it forever,” and Chelsea received a newly made version instead.
