Chelsea hero Cole Palmer was left bemused as Donald Trump bizarrely gatecrashed the Blues’ Membership World Cup trophy raise.
The US President, who had arrived to a refrain of cheers at MetLife Stadium, watched on as Chelsea secured a shock 3-0 win towards PSG, with Palmer scoring a brace whereas Joao Pedro was additionally on track.
Roughly 35 minutes earlier than kickoff, Trump and spouse Melania arrived on the close by Teterboro Airport on the presidential Marine One helicopter from his native golf membership in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The 79-year-old was given VIP therapy as he soaked up the motion alongside First Woman Melania, who reduce an elegant determine in a white costume and black blazer, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
However Trump’s crowning second got here after the ultimate whistle when he took centre stage because the trophy was given to Chelsea.
It was anticipated that the Commander-in-Chief would step apart after giving the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James – as is customary. Nonetheless, to the bewilderment of many Chelsea gamers, Trump remained on stage for your complete trophy raise.
Chelsea gamers had been left bemused as Donald Trump stole the limelight throughout their trophy raise
The president was joined by First Woman Melania Trump (proper) to look at the soccer showdown
England hero Palmer appeared particularly confused by Trump’s actions and appeared to utter the phrases: ‘What’s he doing?’
Trump had earlier introduced Palmer with the golden ball award with the 23-year-old midfielder trying as equally baffled throughout that presentation.
After presenting medals to each the victors and losers, the Commander-in-Chief was noticed entrance and middle because the Blues hoisted the trophy.
Following his presentation of the trophy to Chelsea, he was requested to depart the stage by Infantino however bizarrely selected to remain put.
And followers on social media shared Palmer’s confusion as some even in contrast Trump to Chelsea legend John Terry.
Terry infamously wore a full equipment as he celebrated Chelsea profitable the Champions League last towards Bayern Munich in 2012 even though he did not play within the sport as a result of suspension.
One fan on X could not resist making a comparability with Terry as they wrote: ‘Trump gone all John Terry’.
In the meantime, one other supporter wrote: ‘Trump ruined the Chelsea celebration picture’.
The US President refused to depart the stage as Chelsea celebrated profitable the Membership World Cup
Cole Palmer, who scored twice for Chelsea, appeared to utter the phrases: ‘What’s he doing?’
The president was joined by his spouse and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in his suite
Moreover, one other added: ‘Donald trump simply stood there ready for the celebration’.
One other said: ‘Trump standing clueless in the midst of Chelsea’s celebration pictures lifting the trophy is sensible lmao’.
One other supporter remarked: ‘Chelsea laughing their heads off at Trump becoming a member of them for celebration. Good things.’
After being noticed touching down close to MetLife, Trump surfaced contained in the stadium loud cheers could possibly be heard from the 80,000 in attendance.
Trump’s son, Donald Jr . and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson had been additionally seen headed to the sport, and so they shared a kiss on the runway as they waited for the president to reach.
The outing falls on the primary anniversary of the assassination try Trump survived in Butler, Pennsylvania final yr, and important safety measures had been put in place for his arrival.
As detailed in The Athletic , secret service officers labored with organizers to place collectively a journey path to the venue, and it was believed he can be behind a pane of bulletproof glass on the sport.
The president was placed on display at MetLife through the singing of the nationwide anthem previous to the sport, and stories emerged from the stadium that he was booed earlier than the stadium digicam reduce away from him.
The president salutes the group because the nationwide anthem rings round MetLife in New Jersey
Trump and Melania waved to the group forward of the sport on Sunday in East Rutherford
Followers took to social media to reference Trump staying put for the eventual trophy raise
Some followers in contrast Trump’s actions to John Terry sporting a full equipment to have fun Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2012 regardless of not taking part in within the last
MetLife Stadium later echoed with extra boos when Trump, joined by Infantino, made his manner out onto the sphere to current the champions with the trophy.
The president’s involvement within the trophy presentation after the sport, which additional complicates the required safety across the American Commander-in-Chief.
‘If you do the menace and threat evaluation, you cowl something that might go flawed: in the event that they had been at a mass gathering, what if the stage collapsed?’ Nigel Thomas, a former British Particular Air Service (SAS) soldier and founding father of safety coaching agency, Blue Mountain Group, informed The Athletic.
‘We could have a regular working process for that, for instance. You should be ready for it, and that takes communication with stadium safety and emergency companies.’
Regardless of the safety threat, Trump did not draw back from the limelight when he bizarrely inserted himself into Chelsea’s celebrations.
