Donald Trump experienced an uncomfortable moment with the Juventus soccer team at the White House when discussing the participation of transgender players in sports.
Trump has been actively targeting the transgender community with various executive orders since his inauguration in January. His actions include prohibiting transgender individuals from serving in the military and preventing transgender women from being housed in female prisons. Another focus of his administration has been on sports.
On February 5, the President signed an order stating that transgender women would be barred from competing in female sports.
The order, titled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,’ sought to prompt the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reconsider its stance on this issue, especially with the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles approaching.
Before signing this contentious order, Trump remarked: “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,” he added.
This topic resurfaced during a visit by the Juventus soccer team to the White House during the FIFA World Cup.
Social media footage showed Juventus players and staff appearing visibly uneasy on June 18 when Trump inquired about their thoughts on transgender women in soccer.
The Italian team stood behind Trump as he asked, “Could a woman make your team, fellas?”
While some players smiled, none verbally responded to the president’s question.
When Trump repeated his question, Juventus’ general manager Damien Comolli redirected the conversation by stating, “We have a very good women’s team.”
Trump replied, “But they should be playing with women.”
As Comolli remained silent, Trump commented, “He’s being very diplomatic.”
Responses online indicated approval of the team’s reaction.
One user on X shared: “The players actually thought it was funny. We know this hurts you. That’s funny too.”
Another remarked: “Crazy when a soccer team is more diplomatic than the President of the United States.”
A different commenter criticized Trump: “Wow what a sleeze bag!”
Earlier in the year, Trump engaged in a heated discussion with Maine governor Janet Mills regarding his order banning trans athletes from women’s sports.
On February 21, Trump insisted Mills adhere to the order, threatening to withdraw federal funding from the state if she did not comply, affecting administrative and technological functions in schools.
Trump asserted: “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 responded, “We’ll see you in court.”
Trump countered: “Good. I’ll see you in court. I’ll look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.” He added, “And enjoy your life after, governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”