When it comes to Donald J. Trump, the president has a knack for turning even a simple question into a headline. At a recent exchange, when asked if he would take part in upcoming FIFA events, Trump delivered one of those classic lines that only he could pull off:
He. Is. HILARIOUS.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 22, 2025
REPORTER: Will you take part in the FIFA events?
TRUMP: "I may PLAY. I see the money these players make. I am a very good athlete...I may put on shorts. I look EXTREMELY good in shorts."
😂😂pic.twitter.com/Q4aenOT0iE
READ MORE: Trump Announces US Location for 2026 World Cup
In one sense, it’s pure Trump, tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating, and braggadocious all at the same time. But in another sense, it’s a reminder of why so many Americans still find his presence refreshing. While the political class ties itself in knots over every poll-tested phrase, Trump manages to inject humor and humanity into the conversation.
The imagery alone is enough to make the headlines write themselves: Trump, 45th president of the United States, suiting up with FIFA players half his age, striding onto the pitch, and claiming victory before the first whistle blows. It’s absurd, hilarious, and if you know Trump, exactly the point.
Critics will say this is unserious. But levity in leadership has always been part of the American tradition. Ronald Reagan used humor to disarm critics and win over voters. Trump does the same, though in his own New York, larger-than-life style. In an age of stiff, scripted politicians, his ability to laugh (and make us laugh) reminds people that politics doesn’t always have to be dour.
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What’s more, the comment highlights something else: Trump’s natural showmanship. Love him or hate him, he has the instincts of an entertainer and the timing of a stand-up comic. And unlike the humorless bureaucrats who want to regulate every corner of your life, the president’s jokes land because they are rooted in the everyday language of ordinary Americans.
Of course, don’t expect him to actually lace up for FIFA. The message here isn’t about sports, it’s about spirit. It’s about a political figure who refuses to surrender to the sterility of modern politics, who is willing to poke fun at himself while poking holes in the establishment.
And if, by some miracle, Trump did decide to step onto the soccer field? Let’s just say, given his track record, I wouldn’t bet against him.
Because, as he reminded us: he looks “extremely good in shorts.”
Editor's Note: President Trump is leading America into the "Golden Age" as Democrats try desperately to stop it.
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