Former President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at Sunday’s FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to lift the trophy. But his decision to remain on stage during the post-match celebrations sparked some awkward moments — and reportedly didn’t sit well with his son, Barron Trump.
According to The Mirror, Trump was expected to stand aside with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the trophy presentation. Instead, he lingered near the players, prompting Chelsea captain Reece James to reportedly tell him he “needs to leave” before the official ceremony began.
Despite the captain’s hint, defender Levi Colwill told reporters that Trump “wanted to stay” and be part of the celebration. Photos from the event showed players, including Cole Palmer, visibly puzzled by the former president’s presence on stage.
Barron Trump Reportedly Displeased
Adding to the awkwardness, The Daily Mail’s Ephraim Hardcastle column reported that Trump’s youngest son, Barron, likely wasn’t thrilled by the moment either — and not just because of the spotlight-stealing. Barron is a passionate Arsenal supporter, and Chelsea is one of Arsenal’s fiercest London rivals.
The column noted that Barron’s disapproval was likely twofold: disliking Chelsea’s victory and being uncomfortable with his father joining in the celebrations of a rival club. During Trump’s time in office, Barron was often seen sporting an Arsenal jersey while playing soccer on the White House lawn.
A Football Fan in the Spotlight
Trump has long acknowledged his son’s interest in football. In a 2018 interview with Piers Morgan, he was gifted an Arsenal jersey with the number 45 — a nod to his presidency. When asked if he supported Arsenal, Trump replied, “Not particularly, no,” but mentioned a friend who owns Manchester United — referring to Ed Glazer, a vocal supporter of Trump’s presidential campaign.
At Sunday’s match, Trump presented the Golden Ball and was caught on camera telling the recipient, “Chelsea’s biggest fan. I’m a big fan of you. So well done you,” according to lip-reader Jeremy Freeman.
After the game, Chelsea forward Cole Palmer admitted he hadn’t expected Trump to be on stage for the trophy lift. “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he’d be standing with us when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yes,” he said.
Reece James later hinted that the crowd’s excitement may have encouraged Trump to overstay his welcome on stage.
