SAN FRANCISCO
Lee Heidhues 7.6.2026
Once again Donald Trump has cast himself as the Audience of One with his blatant off the Pitch pitch to have the Red Card assessed against Team USA start striker Folarin Balogun rescinded.
It worked and America is now in the cross hairs of international scorn.
The US Team will take to the Pitch in Seattle on Monday afternoon against Belgium trying to reach Final Eight for the first time.
Sadly the entire match will be overshadowed by Trump’s blatant interference in this global spectacle. The entire soccer world is lambasting Trump. He doesn’t care.
The biggest irony of all this is the fact the American striker Folarin Balogun is a “Birthright Citizen.” A group of Americans against whom Trump has waged a political war the past 10 years. Finally losing his anti-immigrant holy war at the US Supreme Court a week ago.
For One Night, Support for Belgium’s Soccer Team Swells
Trump’s unusual intervention over a red-card decision prompts strong backing for the next U.S. opponent in the World Cup
Top photo Trump and FIFA Prez Gianni Infantino celebrate in the White House
Lee's Perspective 