A visit to the White House by Juventus, the Italian football club, ahead of their Club World Cup opener against Al Ain in Washington D.C., took an unexpected turn when former U.S. President Donald Trump engaged the team in a discussion about transgender athletes. The interaction, which occurred in the Oval Office on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, has since garnered widespread attention and sparked considerable debate online.
The Juventus squad, including U.S. national team players Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, were present for what was expected to be a customary photo opportunity and meet-and-greet. However, Trump steered the conversation toward a topic that has been a recurring theme throughout his second term as president: the participation of transgender women in sports.
Turning to the players, Trump posed the question, "Could a woman make your team, fellas?" The inquiry was met with silence and awkward glances among the Juventus players, who appeared visibly stunned and uncomfortable. Undeterred, Trump pressed further, directing the same question to Juventus' general manager, Damien Comolli. Comolli attempted to deflect the question by highlighting the success of Juventus' women's team, the reigning Serie A champions. However, Trump doubled down, stating, "But they should be playing with women. He's being very diplomatic."
The exchange has been widely described as awkward and inappropriate, with many online commentators criticizing Trump for injecting a divisive political issue into what should have been a friendly visit. Social media users have described the moment as "horrible" and "awkward," while others praised the Juventus team for their handling of the situation. Some users on X, formerly known as Twitter, remarked on the team's diplomacy.
Trump's focus on transgender athletes aligns with his administration's policies, including an executive order signed in February that aims to ban transgender athletes from women's sports. This stance has been a subject of intense debate, with supporters arguing that it protects fair competition for female athletes, while opponents contend that it is discriminatory and harmful to transgender individuals.
The incident occurred shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors to stand, a ruling viewed by many as a setback for transgender rights. Trump's decision to raise the issue with the Juventus squad has been interpreted by some as an attempt to further politicize the issue and pressure international sports organizations to adopt similar policies.
Despite the awkward exchange, Juventus proceeded with their Club World Cup campaign, securing a 5-0 victory against Al Ain. The team is scheduled to face Wydad AC in Philadelphia on Sunday.
