- Donald Trump faced widespread ridicule after his controversial intervention in the Fifa World Cup, where he successfully lobbied Fifa President Gianni Infantino to overturn a red card for U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun.
- Despite Trump's intervention, which saw Balogun's one-match ban suspended, the U.S. team suffered a comprehensive 4-1 defeat against Belgium in Seattle, leading to their elimination from the tournament.
- Before the match, Trump admitted to his appeal and jokingly suggested the game would be 'rigged' if the U.S. lost, drawing parallels to the 2020 election.
- The U.S. loss prompted significant mockery and criticism directed at Trump, with figures like California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla calling it 'the Trump effect' and others joking about him imposing tariffs on Belgium or having a 'reverse Midas touch.'
- Belgian players and social media accounts also joined in the ridicule, with Trump himself remaining silent on the outcome of his intervention, despite his active presence on Truth Social.
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