WATCH: Sen. Cruz thanks Trump for ‘getting rid’ of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-07-06 10:40:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Claims Credit for Enabling Balogun’s Participation in Belgium Match
President Trump expressed gratitude to FIFA over the weekend, asserting that he and the White House intervened to allow Balogun to play in Monday’s match against Belgium. This statement highlights Trump’s tendency to claim direct involvement in high-profile international sports events.
Trump’s Attributed Statement
According to the excerpt, Trump thanked FIFA after what he described as intervention by himself and the White House, which he said enabled Balogun to participate in the match. This public acknowledgment positions Trump as a central figure in the decision, suggesting that his administration played a decisive role in the outcome.
Fact-Check and Context
The excerpt does not provide further details or independent verification of Trump’s claimed intervention. It is not uncommon for Trump to publicly take credit for actions or outcomes involving international organizations or sporting bodies. In this instance, the specifics of the White House’s involvement, or whether Trump’s actions were directly responsible for Balogun’s eligibility, are not detailed in the provided material.
Conclusion
Trump’s statement thanking FIFA and claiming White House intervention in Balogun’s participation in the Belgium match is consistent with his pattern of publicly attributing high-profile successes to his administration. However, the excerpt does not offer evidence to substantiate the extent or impact of this intervention. As with similar claims, readers should look for additional context and independent confirmation to fully assess the accuracy of Trump’s statements.