U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly became the center of attention on the final day of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with a dominant 3-0 win led by Cole Palmer.
While Palmer was undoubtedly the hero on the pitch with two goals and an assist, the post-match spotlight shifted dramatically to Trump, who was in attendance alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Trump was tasked with handing out medals to the players after the match. He shook hands with members of both teams and placed medals around their necks. However, a small incident during the ceremony drew attention—Trump appeared to ignore PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in, who was standing behind Nuno Mendes waiting for a handshake.
The moment sparked a flurry of interpretations. Some chalked it up to poor timing, noting that Lee had already received his medal from Infantino, while Trump may have been distracted preparing the next medal. Yet, many online users found the interaction—or lack thereof—amusing or even politically symbolic: “Lee Kang-in subtly dissing a racist dictator by getting ‘Trump-passed’? Iconic”, “You are my GOAT for that moment.”
The controversy deepened during Chelsea‘s trophy celebration. As captain Reece James prepared to lift the trophy, Trump remained on stage, refusing to step aside even as Infantino gestured for him to move. James was visibly puzzled, seemingly asking “Are you staying here?” with a glance.
Despite it being the players’ moment, Trump stood his ground, occupying a significant part of the celebratory scene. His presence turned what should have been Chelsea‘s spotlight into a viral moment dubbed by fans as another “Trump hijack”.
Social media reactions ranged from laughter to mockery: “Why is he standing there like a drunk uncle?”, “Trump knows exactly what he’s doing—photos last forever.”
While Chelsea celebrated their Club World Cup glory, the internet crowned Trump the “scene-stealer” of the night—for better or worse.