An encounter at the White House involving Juventus players and staff took an unexpected turn when former President DONALD Trump initiated a discussion about transgender women in sports. The incident occurred on Wednesday during the Italian team’s visit to the US for the Club World Cup. They are scheduled to compete against Al Ain of the UAE at Washington DC’s Audi Field.

The Juventus squad, including US internationals TIMOTHY Weah and WESTON McKennie, stood behind the former president as he addressed various topics.

Former President TRUMP, who previously signed an executive order in February concerning transgender athletes, directly engaged the JUVENTUS delegation on the matter. He inquired, “Could a woman make your team, fellas?” The players responded with nervous smiles and remained silent.

Repeating his question, TRUMP was met with an attempt to steer the conversation by JUVENTUS’s general manager, DAMIEN Comolli. “We have a very good women’s team,” Comolli stated, referring to Juventus Women, the current Serie A champions.

Trump’s Stance on Transgender Athletes

“But they should be playing with women,” TRUMP responded, while Comolli opted not to elaborate. “He’s being very diplomatic,” TRUMP remarked.

“We have a very good women’s team.”

Controversy Amidst Increasing Hostility

TRUMP’s remarks come amid rising tensions and hostility towards transgender individuals in the US. Earlier that day, the US supreme court upheld a Tennessee law restricting gender-affirming care for minors, a decision seen as a setback for transgender rights advocates that could influence future legal battles [1][2].