Juventus Players Attend Controversial Trump Oval Office Visit

Members of the Italian soccer club Juventus visited President Donald Trump in the Oval Office before their FIFA Club World Cup match against Al Ain, but the visit proved uncomfortable for some players, particularly U.S. men's national team member Timothy Weah. Weah expressed that the visit felt mandatory and awkward, especially as Trump spoke extensively about politics, including U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict and transgender women in sports, rather than focusing on soccer. During the event, players appeared visibly uneasy as Trump used the occasion to promote his political views and engage with the media, overshadowing the intended celebratory nature of the visit. Juventus presented Trump with jerseys, including one for the upcoming World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, yet soccer was largely sidelined in the discussion. This incident highlights the tension between professional athletes’ roles in public relations efforts and their personal discomfort with political engagements. Despite the awkwardness, Weah acknowledged the experience as memorable but emphasized his preference to focus on football rather than politics.