Donald Trump’s appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup final made headlines—not just for handing Chelsea the trophy after their win over PSG, but also for his unexpectedly flirty interview with DAZN reporter Emily Austin, which quickly went viral and stirred intense reaction online.
The former president, who was already under fire for interrupting Chelsea’s celebration during the trophy presentation, raised more eyebrows during a three-and-a-half-minute sit-down with Austin. Their exchange, while lighthearted at times, left viewers divided over whether Trump crossed a line.
In the viral clip, Austin jokingly asked Trump if he’d consider introducing legislation to make Americans refer to the sport as “football” instead of “soccer.” Trump chuckled and replied, “I think we could do that,” with a grin that many online found suggestive.
Trump Talks Politics During Sports Interview
The interview quickly shifted from soccer to politics, with Trump using the global sports stage to criticize his rivals and tout his administration’s performance.
“All the leaders said a year ago, ‘your country was dead,’ and now it’s the hottest country in the world,” Trump said. “We were doing badly—we had an incompetent administration. But now, the country is hot. And I think soccer’s going to be hot too.”
When asked to deliver a message to fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Trump called for unity. “It’s about everybody coming together. A lot of love between countries. This is probably the most international sport—it really can bring the world together,” he said.
Backlash Online: Flirting or Just Awkward?
The interview set social media ablaze, with many calling out the DAZN network and FIFA for giving Trump airtime to push political talking points during an international sporting event.
“This DAZN Trump interview is straight-up propaganda,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “Honestly embarrassing. DAZN and FIFA should be ashamed.”
But what really stirred debate was the tone of the interview itself. One viral post read: “Trump is just hitting on the blonde interviewer on DAZN while rambling nonsense. What is this??”
Trump’s Club World Cup Moment Already Under Fire
Trump’s interview wasn’t the only controversial moment. His presence during Chelsea’s on-field celebration also sparked criticism, with fans—and even Chelsea forward Cole Palmer—visibly confused by the political intrusion.
As one fan bluntly put it online, “Are you going to leave now?”
With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted partly in the U.S., Trump’s involvement in soccer continues to generate headlines—both for his comments and his timing.
