President Donald Trump and his MAGA supporters faced online backlash after fans pointed out that U.S. World Cup star Folarin Balogun is a birthright citizen. Balogun scored the opening goal in a 2-0 round-of-32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday and leads the team in tournament scoring. He will miss Monday's round-of-16 match against Belgium due to a controversial red card.
Timing of Balogun's Performance Coincides with Supreme Court Ruling
The timing of Balogun's achievements is notable. The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship this week, prompting Trump to call the policy “unfair” and pledge to end it through legislation. Fans on X urged Trump, who received a dubious peace prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, to intervene regarding Balogun's red card suspension. However, Trump has remained silent on Balogun's birthright status throughout the tournament.
“Isn’t it crazy that Trump doesn’t want Americans like Folarin Balogun in America?” one commenter wrote. “Thank goodness SCOTUS upheld birthright citizenship.” Another added: “Folarin Balogun wouldn’t even be playing for USA if it was up to Trump and his birthright citizenship views smh lol. Let’s go!!”
Balogun's Background Highlights Birthright Citizenship
Balogun told NBC he was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents because his mother, in late-stage pregnancy, was denied boarding a flight back to England. “To represent the United States means a lot,” he said. “I just hope I can bring that prestige and winning mentality over into soccer.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a HuffPost request for comment on Balogun's birthright citizenship.
Social Media Reactions Flood In
Numerous social media posts highlighted the irony. One user posted: “Don’t forget… Flo Balogun is playing for the USA thanks to birthright citizenship guaranteed by the Constitution.” Another wrote: “Folarin Balogun, who is a US citizen because he was born here, scores a go-ahead goal for the US team in a knockout game. Score one for birthright citizenship.”
Others criticized Trump supporters: “I hate that Trump supporters will probably celebrate this, since they don't want Americans who are Americans by birthright citizenship to be American.” A user noted: “Same ones crying about birthright citizenship screaming free Balogun the jokes write themselves.”
