US President Donald Trump broke his silence after the United States was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup on Monday, July 6, losing 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16 in Seattle. However, instead of addressing the defeat, Trump launched into a rant about the US military and called for increased defense spending.
Trump's Truth Social Post
In a post on Truth Social following the match, Trump wrote: "The United States Military has never been stronger, or more powerful. No other Nation can do what we do (It’s not even close!). This year we set even more Historic Recruiting Records, months ahead of schedule. Morale has never been higher."
He continued: "Our Military's unmatched POWER was on full display during our Celebration of 250 Years of American Independence and, like our Country, the WAR DEPARTMENT has never been 'HOTTER.' We need to keep it that way, which is why, when Congress returns, we must pass Reconciliation 3.0, with 350 Billion Dollars for Defense, plus THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!"
No Mention of the World Cup Defeat
Trump did not comment on the US team's performance or the result, despite the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The loss came after Trump had intervened with FIFA to overturn a red card suspension for US striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun had been sent off in the Round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would have triggered an automatic one-match ban for the Belgium game. However, after Trump and Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House's World Cup task force, spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino by phone, the suspension was postponed.
FIFA's Decision and Trump's Reaction
FIFA announced on Sunday that the punishment had been suspended, clearing the US's leading goal-scorer to play. Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, posting: "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice."
Despite the intervention, the US team could not overcome Belgium, ending their World Cup run. Trump's focus on military spending rather than the sporting outcome has drawn attention, particularly given his previous involvement in the tournament.
