Former US President Donald Trump has once again found himself at the centre of controversy after mocking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's name during a speech at the White House.
The bizarre moment occurred as Trump was discussing American football, attempting to pronounce the Hawaiian-born player's surname before dismissing it with a flippant remark.
The awkward exchange saw Trump stumble over Tagovailoa's traditional Polynesian name, which is pronounced "Tung-o-vy-lo-ah". After several failed attempts, the former president quipped: "What a name, folks. What a name."
Social media quickly erupted with criticism from NFL fans and cultural commentators alike. Many accused Trump of cultural insensitivity, particularly given Tagovailoa's Samoan heritage and the growing diversity within American football.
A history of name controversies
This isn't the first time Trump has drawn attention for his handling of non-Anglophone names. During his presidency, he repeatedly mispronounced foreign leaders' names and places, often adding theatrical emphasis that critics described as mocking.
Tua Tagovailoa, the 25-year-old Dolphins star, has previously spoken about the frequent mispronunciation of his name throughout his football career. The quarterback has typically responded with good humour, even creating lighthearted videos to help fans with the correct pronunciation.
Political football
The incident comes at a sensitive time for Trump as he campaigns for re-election. While his core supporters may dismiss the episode as typical Trump banter, political analysts suggest such moments risk alienating minority voters crucial to electoral success.
Meanwhile, the NFL continues its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, making Trump's comments particularly ill-timed. The league has seen growing Polynesian representation in recent years, with players of Samoan descent becoming some of the sport's most exciting talents.
Neither Trump's team nor the Miami Dolphins have issued official statements regarding the incident at the time of writing.
