During a recent visit to the White House, US President Donald Trump left the members of the renowned Italian soccer team Juventus FC in a state of disbelief. While hosting the team, who are in the United States for the prestigious Club World Cup, Trump posed a question that many deemed inappropriate and “transphobic.” He inquired whether a biological woman could make the men’s team, sparking an immediate reaction of awkward glances among the players present.

As the players stood behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Trump asked, “Could a woman make your team, fellas?” The question hung in the air, met with silence as none of the Juventus players felt inclined to respond. This moment of tension was compounded when Trump directed the same question to the team's general manager, Damien Comolli. Comolli, maintaining his composure, replied diplomatically, “We have a very good women’s team.” However, Trump persisted, “But they should be playing with women?” continuing to press for an answer. In the face of Trump’s insistence, Comolli chose not to engage further, leaving the question unanswered.

In a moment of mockery, Trump remarked, “See, they're very diplomatic,” seemingly unimpressed by Juventus’ careful handling of the situation. This incident drew significant attention on social media, with many users questioning the relevance of Trump’s inquiry during a sports visit and applauding Juventus for their dignified response. One social media user commented, “Kudos to Juventus @juventusfc and @DamienJComolli for responding with great dignity. 'We have a very good women's team.'” Another user expressed sympathy for the players and coaches, stating, “He’s so awful, but the players and coaches handled it well.” The reactions continued with comments like, “Crazy when a soccer team is more diplomatic than the President of the United States,” highlighting the unexpected nature of the exchange.

Concerning the issue at hand, Trump has made the restriction of transgender athletes in women’s sports a key aspect of his second-term agenda. On February 5, he signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which followed a campaign push that centered around this topic. The directive prompted the NCAA to revise its gender eligibility policies, thereby limiting participation in women’s sports to biological females only, further igniting the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes and their rights in competitive sports.