What Implications Will Donald Trump’s Second Presidency Have on the Sports World? | US News
This trend has transitioned from NFL fields into the UFC octagon and, in soccer, has made its way from the US national team to Barnsley.
A charming rendition of Donald Trump‘s interpretation of a YMCA dance, initially popularized on rally stages.
Christian Pulisic— a leading figure in American soccer— described it as “fun” rather than politically motivated, having utilized an alternative fist-pumping gesture to celebrate his goals following the November presidential election.
However, its widespread acceptance indicates that aligning with the returning president is now considered acceptable in the sports realm, a stark contrast to the previous term’s exclusions.
Donald Trump dancing with The Village People at a rally before his inauguration. Pic: AP
This shift is likely to be welcomed by President Trump since sports are pivotal to his agenda and global image this time around.
A recurrent campaign promise to prohibit transgender athletes from single-gender sports was reiterated during the grand inauguration ball on Monday night.
The lead-up to the election also saw Trump embrace mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship as a means to engage male voters. Moreover, the former head of World Wrestling Entertainment was even assigned an educational role in his cabinet.
Sports hold personal significance for Trump as well.
Golf has never been solely an escape from political or business affairs; it’s become a lucrative opportunity, especially with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund gearing up to launch its breakaway series on his courses.
Then there’s the honor of presiding over the men’s World Cup and Summer Olympics.
UFC boss Dana White with Trump at an election night watch party. Pic: AP
In hindsight, Trump may have found some advantage in his 2020 loss—this allows him to uniquely promote himself as a national leader during the two largest sporting events in the world, while simultaneously presenting unfounded claims about a “rigged” election.
When the US hosted the 1994 World Cup, Alexi Lalas emerged as a national team icon with his distinct wild red hair and beard.
Having been an early supporter of the MAGA movement, he has noticed a change from those who once approached him in “quiet whispers” while traversing the country.
“I think many reached a point where they were just fed up with concealing what they felt was common sense,” Lalas shared with Sky News.
“It saddened me that they felt such pressure and were ultimately afraid to express it.”
Alexi Lalas. Pic: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Some backlash may arise from those surprised by such an assertive right-leaning stance from a player they might recall as a “90s grunge hippie type.”
“I’ve lost friends over this,” remarked the Fox Sports commentator, who attended the presidential gatherings in Washington. “People now view me differently because they are aware of my political affiliation.”
“I won’t apologize for it. I consider myself a good person, striving for good things.”
The upcoming World Cup will be unparalleled—not only due to featuring 48 teams, but also because it will attract millions of sports fans, marking an unprecedented event in the country.
“[Trump] comprehends the allure and influence of sports and the benefits of associating with it,” Lalas commented.
How vows made to FIFA to permit entry for ticket-holding fans will coincide with strict immigration policies remains to be seen. An early test will take place with the new men’s Club World Cup serving as a trial event this summer.
Alexi Lalas during his playing career in the late ’90s. Pic: Reuters
Exploring Trump’s alliance with FIFA chief Infantino
This serves as a platform not only for players but also for the Trump-Gianni Infantino partnership to hold sway.
Very few have endeared themselves to Trump quite like the FIFA president. Public displays of loyalty amidst the scandals of his first term were rewarded with a prominent position at the inauguration, directly behind the president and his predecessors.
The leader of a global football governing body associated with promoting non-discrimination listened to – albeit without overt approval – a speech pledging an end to diversity and inclusion initiatives, recognizing solely male and female genders.
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Infantino presented Trump with a USA football shirt in the Oval Office during his first presidency. Pic: Reuters
The US is preparing to bid again for the Women’s World Cup, which for the first time in 2023 included a transgender and non-binary athlete—Canada’s Quinn.
Trump has had concerns about excluding trans women from women’s sports both prior to and following his inauguration. This topic dominates his rally speeches and has now risen up the Oval Office’s list of priorities.
The commitment to uphold the integrity of women’s sports seems to be persuading female athletes, previously aligned with opposing views, to reconsider their support for Republicans.
“This stands out as a pivotal issue for many women like myself, who have largely identified as Democrats for most of their lives,” cyclist Evie Edwards, a member of the ICONS advocacy group, told Sky News.
“The past five years have made it incredibly challenging to have our voices acknowledged.
“That we are finally being heard, especially with President Trump announcing this on day one of his term, is exceptionally motivating for many of us.
“Regardless of political affiliation, be it Republican or Democrat, recognizing this is a crucial and necessary step.”
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What are trans athletes’ perspectives on Trump?
Among the marginalized trans athlete community, facing discrimination in society, there’s a sense of being politically exploited and excluded from their beloved sports.
Trans male wrestler Mack Beggs is concerned about the constant misgendering of Paris 2024 women’s boxing champion Imane Khelif by Trump, who has made campaign statements based on disputed gender eligibility tests regarding the Algerian athlete.
“Overall, [Trump] will leverage anything at his disposal to exploit situations during major events,” Beggs told Sky News. “Using Imane as a pawn to amplify discussions and stoke irrational fears regarding trans athletes in sports is just disappointing.”
Moreover, the stakes go beyond the ability to compete.
Canada’s Quinn during training. Pic: Reuters
“The majority of my community feels frightened because it’s not just about sports,” stated Beggs, who still aspires to compete in the Trump-supported UFC someday. “This pertains to the broader issue of our rights being stripped away.”
“It begins with sports, but next, it could extend to healthcare rights.”
But will anyone in the world of sports take a stand against Trump if his inflammatory rhetoric and interference threaten to overshadow athletic pursuits? Trump recently denounced Paris 2024 as a “disgrace” due to the depiction of the Last Supper at the opening ceremony, sparking an Olympic culture war.
Sebastian Coe could be overseeing the Olympics by the time of Los Angeles 2028 if he secures a victory in the IOC presidential election slated for March.
“I’m not entirely unfamiliar with dealing with politicians,” Lord Coe, a former Conservative MP, relayed to Sky News. “I grasp the language. I understand the pressures. This is a terrain in which I feel at ease. However, sports must preserve its independence and autonomy.”
In a Trump-led environment, this independence can sometimes be challenging—evidenced by his campaign trail and the first few days of his presidency. Not every sports leader is eager to maintain their independence, however, enticed by the allure of entering the realm of global influence.
