Donald Trump causes outrage with 'horrible' and 'awkward' comment to Juventus squad in the Oval Office

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Donald Trump causes outrage with 'horrible' and 'awkward' comment to Juventus squad in the Oval Office

The American president met with Juventus players ahead of their Club World Cup opener.

Donald Trump has received huge backlash for a weird comment made to the Juventus squad ahead of their Club World Cup opener.

An exciting first round of Club World Cup fixtures will come to an end in the early hours of Thursday morning, as Juventus face off against Al Ain in Washington DC's Audi Field.

Ahead of the match, some of the Serie A squad travelled to the White House for a meeting with US President Trump in the famous oval office.

American internationals Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie were among the players to visit Trump in Washington.

But the trip may not have gone exactly to plan, as Trump is now facing serious backlash online after making a highly-controversial comment to the Juventus players.

US internationals Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie were among the group meeting Trump. (Image: Getty)
US internationals Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie were among the group meeting Trump. (Image: Getty)

Across Trump's second term as president, he has often spoken out about transgender athletes in sport, leading to him signing an executive order banning transgender participants from women’s sports in February.

And it appears that he hoped that the Juventus players would support his beliefs, as he decided to ask them for their opinions during their White House meeting.

“Could a woman make your team, fellas,” Trump awkwardly asked the players as he turned to face them.

Of course, the entire group awkwardly stand in silence and smile at Trump, clearly stunned by what he has just asked them.

But the American president wasn't willing to let it lie, as he then turned his attention to Juventus’s general manager, Damien Comolli, who deflected the comment, stating: "We have a very good women’s team."

Again doubling down, Trump replied: "But they should be playing with women. He’s being very diplomatic."

The Juventus squad were clearly uncomfortable with Trump's questions. (Image: Getty)
The Juventus squad were clearly uncomfortable with Trump's questions. (Image: Getty)

Unsurprisingly, Trump's comments haven't gone down well on social media, with one X user writing: "What a horrible, awkward moment."

While another claimed: "He’s so awful, but the players and coaches handled it well."

And another stated: "Crazy when a soccer team is more diplomatic than the President of the United States."

The awkward moment comes just months after Juventus women clinched the Serie A Femminile title for the sixth time since 2017/18, establishing themselves as one of the best women's teams in the world.

Featured Image Credit: American Agenda

Topics: Donald Trump, Juventus, Serie A, Womens Football, Football, FIFA Club World Cup

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