Fans think Chelsea player snubbed Donald Trump during Club World Cup trophy ceremony
Chelsea’s historic FIFA Club World Cup victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday night is generating media attention not only for the Blues’ outstanding play but also for an unexpected and widely shared incident during the medal ceremony that featured former US President Donald Trump.
Cole Palmer’s exquisite brace and new signing Joao Pedro’s first goal helped Chelsea shock Champions League winners PSG with a 3-0 victory in the eagerly awaited final.
The West London club’s victory completed an undefeated tournament run; on the way to the final, they defeated LAFC, Flamengo, ES Tunis, Benfica, Palmeiras, and Fluminense.
The redesigned Club World Cup made its debut with a new 32-team structure, and Chelsea, led by manager Enzo Maresca, were the rightful winners.
But more than simply Chelsea’s football achievements attracted notice.
In an unexpected appearance at the trophy ceremony, 79-year-old former US President Donald Trump joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the victors’ podium to present medals to the staff and players.
The scene went swiftly from celebration to outrage.
Watchful fans saw a strange exchange—or rather, no exchange—between Trump and Chelsea striker Tyrique George, 18, as the team huddled past the dignitaries to collect their medals.
George is shown passing Trump without saying hello in video that quickly went viral on sites like X (previously Twitter) and TikTok.
George also omits the traditional handshake that follows getting his award.
Fans reacted quickly to the video, with many seeing it as a purposeful slight.
“Trump’s face when Tyrique George refused to shake his hand,” one user remarked, including a freeze-frame of Trump looking briefly perplexed.
“Whether he intended to or not, Tyrique George did not shake Donald Trump’s hand,” said another tweet.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js🚨 Donald Trump presents Cole Palmer with the Club World Cup Player of the Tournament award.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 13, 2025
(A sentence I never thought I’d write! 🥶) pic.twitter.com/dSmwej7m10
That is going to make the news.
“I saw Tyrique George skip the Trump handshake lol,” a third fan wrote in a hilarious manner.
cold motion.
Others questioned the purpose, with one post implying that “Tyrique took full advantage after noticing Trump was looking the other way.”
As one observer noted, “It appears that he began to reach out, but simply continued on since Trump wasn’t watching.”
When the popular video is examined more closely, the scenario seems more complex than many online responses indicate.
Trump appears to reach for the next medal from an official as George walks up to the podium with his back half turned.
He appears to say “Congratulations” to George, but it’s not clear if it was understood or accepted.
Trump makes no apparent effort to shake hands, and George doesn’t try to talk to him.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsTrump’s face when Tyrique George snubbed him of a handshake 🤣 pic.twitter.com/mnzpLXXFKQ
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) July 13, 2025
The brief and unpleasant moment became a flashpoint due to online attention, yet it was easily ignored in the ceremony’s fast-paced flow.
George and Chelsea Football Club have refrained from commenting on the encounter, despite the rumors.
Trump, who is infamous for his divisive presence in public events and politics, has likewise refrained from publicly commenting on the incident.
The moment’s contrast with the festive atmosphere on the field adds to its allure.
In his first season as manager, Enzo Maresca was eager to commend his team’s performance following the game.
“We have to be really proud to be the Club World Cup champions,” he stated.
“We are quite pleased, particularly because we did it against PSG.
As I’ve previously stated, I think they are the greatest team in the world, with some of the greatest players and managers in the world.
It was a great accomplishment, then.
Maresca’s team has received praise for their tactical discipline and up-and-coming young players throughout the league.
With two goals in the championship game, Cole Palmer maintained his quick ascent, and Joao Pedro made an instant impression after joining in the summer.
George, a bright youngster from Chelsea’s academy, has received praise for his performances and, maybe unwittingly, for his part in what many supporters are referring to as “the handshake that never was.”
What should have been a solely sporting celebration has taken on an unanticipated political dimension due to the incident, whether intentional or not.
The fact that Chelsea has added another major title to their expanding collection—and possibly ignited a cultural moment in the process—remains, despite the ongoing debate among fans regarding Tyrique George’s motivations.
When the 2024–25 season comes to an end, Chelsea’s power in the Club World Cup might be remembered as much for their dominant on-field performance as for a handshake that never happened.
Trump slammed for new ‘disrespectful’ comments on Texas floods
After making a number of contentious and, in the opinion of many detractors, “disrespectful” statements while visiting flood-affected Texas, Donald Trump is coming under increasing fire. His words have provoked fury on social media and around the nation.
On Friday, July 11, the former president visited central Texas, a few days after the area was devastated by devastating flash floods.
As search and rescue efforts continue, the number of fatalities has increased to at least 129, and more than 150 people are still unaccounted for.
An unusual storm system that dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in a few of hours caused the flooding.
According to eyewitness reports, rivers, especially the Guadalupe River, swelled quickly, up to 26 feet in some places and even reportedly exceeding 30 feet.
Homes, cars, and even cabins full of family enjoying the Fourth of July vacation were washed away by the floodwaters.
Trump made a number of remarks during his visit to Kerrville, one of the most affected communities, that have drawn criticism for being tone deaf and even heartless considering the extent of human suffering.
He was invited to give a message to families who are mourning the loss of a loved one while he and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump appeared on My View on Fox News.
Trump stated, “There can be nothing worse, losing a child,” rather than expressing his sincere sorrow.
Perhaps they ought to have sounded bells or something.
However, considering how frequently they have experienced this issue, it’s really risky area.
The comment was quickly denounced online and by locals as being callous because it seemed to place the responsibility on the victims or local systems rather than recognize the disaster’s unusual character.
His tone of callousness and the absurd implication of warning bells in a scenario where there was little to no time for evacuation due to torrential rain were criticized.
Trump went on to use comparisons that left many surprised when he spoke to reporters at the scene afterward.
“The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in less than 45 minutes after a torrential downpour—the worst anyone has ever seen—and I even heard it went well over 30 feet,” he said.
In one report, someone claimed that it must have been sixty feet at one point.
Even the world’s top surfers would be scared to ride this enormous wave in the Pacific Ocean.
Online users widely mocked the attempt to draw a comparison between the tragic flooding and intense surfing conditions.
The previous president was charged by many with turning a national tragedy into a show or amusement park attraction.
“This makes me want to throw up,” one person commented on Twitter.
“Trump is out here talking about floods like they’re a Disneyland ride,” someone more said.
Families are being split up and people are drowning in the meanwhile.
His surfer analogy was mockingly repeated by others, who said: “Now I understand the devastation.”
Even the top surfers in the world wouldn’t attempt it.
Regards, Mr. President.
Trump has already come under fire for his comments regarding disaster response.
He has previously made news for downplaying the impact of wildfires and other natural catastrophes and for throwing paper towels to Puerto Rico storm victims.
Even as the criticism mounted, Trump seemed shocked by the damage.
He remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like it,” as he toured areas affected by flooding.
In a more somber and collected remark, his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, who accompanied him, said, “My deepest sympathy to all of the parents who lost beautiful young souls.”
We share your sorrow.
Our country shares your grief.
Meanwhile, emergency personnel and local authorities have continued to concentrate on recovery activities.
FEMA has sent out troops and resources to help with the search and recovery efforts, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott has proclaimed a state of emergency in the impacted counties.
This flooding event is one of the most severe in the state’s history, according to the National Weather Service, breaking rainfall records set in the 1990s.
Instead of providing consolation, Trump’s visit has sparked a fresh discussion about empathy, leadership, and the role of public figures during times of national catastrophe as Texas embarks on the drawn-out and agonizing process of recovery.
