Chelsea’s young rising star Tyrique George had a standout moment—not just on the pitch, but during the Club World Cup medal ceremony—when he appeared to sidestep a handshake with none other than U.S. President Donald Trump.
It all unfolded after Chelsea pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 19-year-old winger, who’s been turning heads with his breakthrough season, seemed to deliberately pass up the chance to shake hands with Trump, instead heading straight for co-owner Todd Boehly.
Whether it was a conscious snub or just an in-the-moment decision, the internet certainly noticed—and so did Trump.
Trump Plays Medal Man at MetLife
President Trump had been given an official role by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino—handing out medals to the Chelsea squad after their commanding win.
While most of the players made it through the ceremony without incident, George’s detour caught attention.
Trump, who had just reached for another medal, glanced in George’s direction but kept his focus on the task.
Still, it didn’t stop Trump from taking up space in the spotlight.
When it came time for Chelsea captain Reece James to lift the trophy, Trump didn’t exit the stage as expected.
Instead, he stayed right in the thick of the celebrations, surprising players and fans alike.
Players Left Wondering: “What’s He Still Doing Here?”
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who had earlier picked up the Golden Ball award for best player, looked visibly puzzled by Trump’s lingering presence.
Cameras even caught him muttering, “What’s he doing?”—echoing what many in the stadium were thinking.
Trump’s surprise cameo during the celebration seemed unplanned, raising eyebrows across the board.
While the trophy lift is usually all about the players and the club, the U.S. President inserted himself front and center—and wasn’t in a rush to leave.
A Presidential Arrival with High Security
Trump and First Lady Melania made a high-profile arrival around 35 minutes before kickoff, flying into Teterboro Airport aboard Marine One from Trump’s Bedminster golf club.
Melania wore a striking white dress paired with a sleek black blazer, standing beside her husband and FIFA’s Infantino in the VIP section.
This high-security outing happened to fall on the one-year anniversary of the assassination attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania. As expected, security was airtight.
According to The Athletic, Secret Service worked with stadium organizers to map out a secure travel route and were reportedly planning for Trump to be shielded behind bulletproof glass during the match.
Booed by the Crowd, Cut by the Cameras
Though Trump’s visit had all the markings of a presidential occasion, not everyone in the MetLife crowd was thrilled.
When he appeared on the stadium screen during the national anthem, boos echoed through the stands.
The camera didn’t linger long before cutting away.
And the boos didn’t stop there. When Trump later walked onto the field alongside Infantino to help present the trophy, another wave of jeers rolled through the stadium.
It was clear that not everyone welcomed his involvement in the football celebration.
Security Experts Weigh In on the Risks
Trump’s decision to stay on stage during the trophy ceremony made things even more complicated for his security team.
Nigel Thomas, a former SAS soldier and founder of the Blue Mountain Group, told The Athletic that these kinds of spontaneous actions can pose real risks.
“You have to plan for anything that might go wrong—what if the stage collapsed? What if there was a mass gathering issue?” Thomas explained.
“Everything needs to be coordinated with stadium security and emergency services.
It takes precise communication and planning.”
What’s Next?
While Chelsea celebrated a historic win and the players basked in their moment of glory, Trump’s unexpected spotlight grab became a side story of its own.
Whether Tyrique George’s non-handshake was intentional or just bad timing, it added an extra layer of drama to an already headline-worthy night.
As for the security implications and public reaction? Those conversations are likely to carry on long after the confetti has settled.