Rosie O'Donnell voiced strong disapproval of President Donald Trump's involvement in FIFA's decision to review a red card given to US soccer star Folarin Balogun. The red card initially meant Balogun would be suspended for the United States Men's National Team’s (USMNT) knockout match against Belgium in the World Cup. However, following Trump's call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the one-game suspension was suspended.
O'Donnell, 64, said she was "horrified" that Trump was able to influence the decision, calling it "sickening." She criticized both Balogun and USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino for not self-imposing a suspension after FIFA postponed the ban. "The fact that (Balogun) did not say, ‘I will not play this game,’ and the fact that the coach of the American team did not say, ‘This is not how we win,’ and that everyone was just like, ‘Well, whatever!’ I was horrified," she said.
O'Donnell also condemned the referee’s decision to issue the red card, admitting she initially did not understand the severity of a red card and was shocked by the power it held. She added, "Since when does he get to make and change the rules, the goalposts, whatever metaphor you want to use, and everyone just sits by and shrugs their shoulders? There’s so much (corruption) that we don’t even notice it."
The incident has sparked debate among sports fans, with some blaming Trump for the USMNT's World Cup exit to Belgium, while others discuss a so-called "Trump curse" narrative. Trump defended his action, stating, "All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul."
Rosie O'Donnell at the 79th Annual Tony Awards, June 7, 2026
President Donald Trump at a White House lunch, July 6, 2026
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