Donald Trump on Monday admitted he intervened in the World Cup over a red card issued to US player Folarin Balogun during Wednesday's match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to FIFA rules, Balogun should have been suspended for Monday's game against Belgium, but FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday after Trump asked officials to review the call, despite the lack of an official appeals process.
Trump's admission and threat
Trump told reporters, “All I did was ask for a review,” claiming he did not instruct officials to reverse the call. However, a later comment suggested he would have tried to influence the outcome regardless of FIFA's decision. “The game tonight is going to be amazing,” he said. “And we’re going to have a full team, and Belgium is going to have a full team, and you know what? If they beat us, then they can be really proud. The other way, if they beat us, I say it was rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020.”
Reactions to Trump's remarks
Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was rigged have been repeatedly debunked. Many people reacted to his open admission that he would have tried to influence the game regardless of FIFA's decision. Representative Shontel Brown tweeted, “So he’s admitting his constant election denial is nothing more than a lie…” Luke Thomas Gets Political wrote, “The guy can’t do anything on earth without cheating and pretending that’s what is being done to him.” Democracy Docket commented, “He really just said on camera 'let us cheat or I'm gonna pull a 2020 again' ?”
Criticism from journalists and public
CNN's Daniel Dale noted, “Trump actually said that Belgium can now be proud if they beat the US tonight, but if Balogun had still been out and the US lost, he would say it was rigged like he does about the (free and fair) 2020 election.” Another user, Andrew, said, “He simply can never not cheat in any scenario no matter what the circumstances are.” Renee expressed frustration, “He truly ruins everything. And this is still no confirmation that he interfered with the actual reversal because HE LIES ABOUT EVERYTHING. But more than that he loves to interfere with any joyous occasion that dares to exist.” Wajahat Ali simply stated, “He ruins everything.” Benny Touzine, speaking for Belgians, tweeted, “GO FCK YOURSELF, DONALD.”
