“Jimmy Kimmel Live” guest host Tiffany Haddish mocked President Donald Trump on Monday for meddling in the World Cup over the weekend by reaching out to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Trump’s Intervention in the World Cup
“One of our star players was supposed to be suspended from tonight’s game, but Donald Trump personally called the head of FIFA to get the player reinstated,” she said. “Which is surprising, because Trump doesn’t know anything about soccer ― and it’s the first time he’s ever defended a Black person!”
Haddish, who is the first of Kimmel’s summer guest hosts as he takes some time off, offered some sarcastic praise for the president. “He’s growing, y’all. He’s growing! He’s growing!” she said. “I’m so proud of him.”
Details of the Suspension and Reinstatement
U.S. star forward Folarin Balogun had been handed a red card for stepping on another player’s ankle during last week’s game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That should have kept him out of Monday’s game against Belgium. But Balogun was reinstated after Trump’s phone call. The move left rivals livid. The European soccer body UEFA said the decision to suspend the red card “crossed a red line.”
Outcome of the Game
Plus, it didn’t help. The U.S. lost to Belgium 4-1 on Monday and was eliminated from the World Cup.
