“Jimmy Kimmel Live” guest host Tiffany Haddish used her monologue on Monday to mock President Donald Trump for his alleged involvement in a World Cup soccer match.
During the broadcast, Haddish, who is filling in for Kimmel during his summer break, claimed that Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to have a U.S. player reinstated after a suspension.
"One of our star players was supposed to be suspended from tonight’s game, but Donald Trump personally called the head of FIFA to get the player reinstated," Haddish stated. "Which is surprising, because Trump doesn’t know anything about soccer — and it’s the first time he’s ever defended a Black person!"
She sarcastically expressed pride in the president's actions, remarking, "He’s growing, y’all. He’s growing! He’s growing! I’m so proud of him."
The player in question was U.S. star forward Folarin Balogun, who had received a red card for stepping on an opponent’s ankle in a previous match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. This penalty should have disqualified him from the game against Belgium. However, following Trump's reported call, Balogun was reinstated.
The decision to overturn the red card suspension drew criticism, with the European soccer body UEFA stating that the move "crossed a red line."
Despite the reinstated player, the U.S. team lost to Belgium 4-1 and was subsequently eliminated from the World Cup. Haddish highlighted this outcome in her remarks.