On the first anniversary of the assassination attempt that nearly claimed his life, President Donald Trump commemorated the occasion not with a formal ceremony, but by attending one of the world’s biggest sporting events, the FIFA Club World Cup final, where he witnessed Chelsea’s emphatic victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The match, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, doubled as a celebration and a statement of resilience for the president, who was joined by First Lady Melania Trump, close aides, family, and a host of political and sports figures. Their arrival was greeted with a mix of cheers and boos, particularly when Trump’s face briefly appeared on the stadium’s giant screen. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the crowd with a wave and fist pump as he made his way to the luxury suite.
Sharing the box with the Trumps were FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his wife Leena Al Ashqar, along with a notable guest list that included Attorney General Pam Bondi, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, NFL legend Tom Brady, and media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.
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Following Chelsea’s commanding 3-0 first-half performance, fueled by two goals from Cole Palmer and another from João Pedro, Trump joined players on the field to distribute medals to PSG’s squad and hand Chelsea their championship trophy.
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“It was an upset today I guess,” he reportedly told reporters aboard Air Force One after returning to Washington. “But it was a great match.”
Sunday’s game also served as a diplomatic backdrop. Trump and his aides reportedly met with officials from Qatar, a key mediator in ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations with Hamas. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy and a key figure in the talks, confirmed before kickoff that meetings were scheduled during the event. “I’ll be meeting them,” he said, nodding when asked about Qatari officials.
In a statement released later that evening, President Donald Trump reflected on surviving the attempt on his life during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, exactly one year earlier. “It remains my firm conviction that God alone saved me that day for a righteous purpose: to restore our beloved Republic to greatness and to rescue our Nation from those who seek its ruin,” he wrote.
He also paid tribute to those who acted quickly on that day. “These men and women arrived at the rally grounds as ordinary Americans, but left as heroes,” Trump said, lauding the first responders, medical personnel, and civilians who aided in the aftermath.
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The event also gave Trump the opportunity to reaffirm his connection with Infantino and reiterate plans to attend several matches in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
However, that tournament will unfold amid diplomatic strains. Trump has stoked tension with both neighbors over tariffs and immigration, and even suggested earlier this year that Canada should be America’s 51st state. “Tension’s a good thing,” he quipped when asked about the friction, claiming it would only add to the excitement of the tournament.
Since taking office earlier this year, Trump has leaned heavily into major sporting events as unofficial campaign stops. His appearance at Sunday’s Club World Cup final follows a series of high-profile outings, including the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC events in Miami and Newark, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia.
MetLife Stadium, site of this weekend’s match, will also host the 2026 World Cup final in just over a year, adding further symbolism to Trump’s appearance at the venue on such a politically and personally significant date.
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