Former President Donald Trump's intervention in a controversial red card ruling for the US Men's National Soccer Team has drawn commentary on the unexpected diplomatic move and its potential consequences. The incident involved a one-game suspension for striker Folarin Balogun, which was subsequently lifted after Trump reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review.
On Monday's edition of "Morning Joe," host Jonathan Lemire acknowledged that Trump's action may benefit the US team on the field, particularly in their Round of 16 match against Belgium. However, Lemire expressed concern over the broader implications, suggesting the intervention has introduced "bad karma" into what he described as the US team's "magical" World Cup run.
"I mean, this certainly helps the US on the field," Lemire stated. "But the karma is bad. The karma is very bad." He contrasted this with the inability of other political figures, like a "lame duck" UK Prime Minister, to achieve similar results, highlighting Trump's influence.
The foul that led to Balogun's initial red card occurred during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Trump, however, viewed the play differently, stating, "I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled." He emphasized the importance of having top players available for all teams, advocating for fair competition regardless of the outcome.
Trump himself downplayed the extent of his involvement, telling reporters, "All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say, 'You have to do this.'" He noted that White House officials had scrutinized the rules and consulted legal counsel after observing the play before he made the call to Infantino.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas supported Trump's action, describing the red card as "ridiculous" and the former president's intervention as "spectacular."
The World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, began on June 11. The decision to lift Balogun's suspension was met with criticism from some soccer fans, and the Belgian soccer federation reportedly made an unsuccessful appeal against the revised ruling. The controversy highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and international relations, with Trump's actions sparking discussion about the nature of influence and its perceived impact.