Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump Intervenes to Lift World Cup Red Card Suspension for US Player Folarin Balogun — President Trump intervened to overturn a one-game suspension imposed on US soccer player Folarin Balogun following a red card received during a World Cup round-of-32 match on July 2. Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to challenge the suspension. A coordinated campaign involving Andrew Giuliani, Howard Lutnick, and US Soccer officials lobbied FIFA over four days. FIFA announced on July 5 that Balogun's suspension was lifted, an extraordinary decision described as the first such reversal since 1962. Belgium's coach and foreign minister expressed outrage, with Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stating the decision "undermined the most basic rules of soccer and sports" and questioning whether a presidential phone call explained the reversal.
• Trump pressured FIFA to reverse World Cup suspension of U.S. player — President Trump called FIFA's president and requested review of the suspension of U.S. soccer team's top goal scorer Folarin Balogun in the World Cup. FIFA reversed the suspension—the first time it has allowed a player to participate in a game they would have been suspended from since 1962. Balogun was eligible to play for the U.S. because of birthright citizenship and had been suspended after receiving a red card. The Trump administration worked with lawyers to help the U.S. Soccer Federation appeal despite no formal appeal mechanism existing.
• Trump administration pressures FIFA to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card suspension — U.S. Men's National Soccer Team forward Folarin Balogun received a red card in a World Cup match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, suspending him from the next game against Belgium. White House FIFA World Cup Task Force executive director Andrew Giuliani informed President Trump of the suspension. As U.S. Soccer Federation officials prepared an appeal, Giuliani and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick engaged White House lawyers and investigated the referee's professional history. Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday. On Sunday, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced Balogun would receive a year-long probation instead, allowing him to play Monday—the first time a red card suspension was overturned since 1962. Trump publicly defended the decision at the White House, claiming the original call was not a foul and questioning the referee's integrity.
• FIFA Reverses Suspension of USMNT Player — FIFA reversed the red card suspension of USMNT player Folarin Balogun after personal intervention by former President Trump. This decision highlights the influence of political figures on international sports organizations and raises questions about the impartiality of sports governance.
• Trump Comments on FIFA Match and Election Integrity — Following the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's loss to Belgium in the World Cup, President Trump commented on the match, suggesting that if the U.S. lost, it would be due to rigging, similar to his claims about the 2020 election. His remarks reflect a continued narrative of undermining trust in electoral integrity and the fairness of competitive outcomes.
• FIFA Allows Folarin Balogun to Play After Red Card Suspension — The Disciplinary Committee of FIFA announced that U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team forward Folarin Balogun would be placed on a year-long probation, allowing him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium despite receiving a red card in a previous game. This decision followed pressure from U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, who contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino regarding the suspension. The ruling has sparked international criticism, with the Belgian soccer federation and UEFA expressing concerns over the integrity of FIFA's disciplinary processes.
• Trump intervened with FIFA to reinstate U.S. men's soccer team player; team lost 4-1 to Belgium in World Cup round of 16 — Trump meddled with FIFA to secure reinstatement of the U.S. men's national soccer team's best player, described as a birthright citizen. Despite this intervention, the American team lost 4-1 to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 in Seattle. The loss prompted international criticism characterizing the U.S. as having used political corruption to influence FIFA. Multiple European media outlets and officials responded with mockery, including Belgium's defense minister and prime minister.

Supporting reports

• Trump pardons Changpeng Zhao, Binance founder, amid crypto business ties — Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, founder and largest shareholder of Binance cryptocurrency exchange, who pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating anti-money-laundering laws and served a four-month sentence. Binance had inked a $2 billion investment deal with Trump family crypto firm World Liberty Financial, expected to yield tens of millions yearly to the Trump family. Trump admitted in a 60 Minutes interview he did not know who Zhao was, claiming he heard it was a "Biden witch-hunt." Legal experts characterized the pardon as pay-to-play and corrupt.
• 60 Minutes investigates Trump crypto empire and Binance pardon — According to Zach Guzman of Coinage Media, CBS's 60 Minutes is planning to release an investigation into the Trump family's growing cryptocurrency empire and Trump's controversial pardon of Binance founder CZ. The investigation focuses on World Liberty Financial, the Trump family's crypto project that launched a digital dollar (USD1) and is shopping it around to various entities. Binance inked a deal to accept $2 billion in USD1, which would allow the Trump company to collect interest payments potentially worth billions of dollars annually. The timing of the Binance deal and Trump's subsequent pardon of CZ raises questions about potential quid pro quo arrangements.