Soccer team praised for reaction after Trump asked if transgender women could play for them

Donald Trump had an awkward exchange with soccer team Juventus at the White House while he was discussing transgender players in sport.

For those who may not have been keeping up with the president’s executive orders since his inauguration in January, Trump has been on a warpath against the trans community.

After he signed an order which saw transgender people being prohibited from serving in the military, and another where transgender women are no longer housed in female prisons, sport was on his mind.

Signed February 5, the POTUS said that no transgender women will compete in female sports.

'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports' is the order that wants the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to 'change everything having to do with the Olympics and having to do with this absolutely ridiculous subject' ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Speaking before signing the controversial order, Trump said: "From now on, women's sports will be only for women.

"We've gotten the woke lunacy out of our military and now we're getting it out of women's sports."

The topic came to a head once again during a meeting with the Juventus soccer players while they were visiting the political building during the FIFA World Cup.

In footage circulating social media, Juventus players and staff could be seen visibly uncomfortable on Wednesday (June 18) when Trump asked them their views on transgender women in soccer.

The Italian football team were seen standing behind the president as he asked them: “Could a woman make your team, fellas.”

Many players gave a smile in response, but did not offer words to the POTUS regarding his question.

When Trump asked the question again, Juventus’ general manager Damien Comolli deflected the comment, stating: “We have a very good women’s team.”

To this, Trump quipped: “But they should be playing with women.”

When Comolli chose not to comment, Trump said: “He’s being very diplomatic.”

Online, people admitting to being happy with the team's response.

One person on X said: “The players actually thought it was funny. We know this hurts you. That’s funny too.”

Another wrote: “Crazy when a soccer team is more diplomatic than the President of the United States.”

Someone else said of Trump: “Wow what a sleeze bag!”

Earlier this year, the president had a heated debate with Maine governor Janet Mills over his order to ban trans athletes from competing in women's sports.

On February 21, Trump told Mills she must comply with the order and threatened to pull funding from the state if she refused, including federal funds for administrative and technological functions in schools.

The president told her: “We are federal law, you better do it. You better do it, because you’re not going to get federal funding… Your population doesn’t want men in women’s sports.”

Mills replied: "We'll see you in court."

“Good. I’ll see you in court. I’ll look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.” Trump said. “And enjoy your life after, governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”