It’s not every day that a former U.S. president walks onto a soccer stage during a major trophy celebration.
But that’s exactly what happened after Chelsea’s big 3–0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium — and Clint Dempsey, U.S. soccer legend, had thoughts.
While many were stunned to see Donald Trump remain on stage during Chelsea’s trophy lift, Dempsey had a balanced reaction.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, he admitted the moment was… strange, but not entirely bad.
“I get it from both sides,” Dempsey said. “Yeah, it’s got people talking.
But also, when you’ve accomplished something that huge, you want to soak it in with your teammates, not share it with someone who wasn’t part of the journey.”
Chelsea’s Dominance Was a Surprise — But a Welcome One
Politics aside, Dempsey was more than impressed with Chelsea’s commanding performance.
“I didn’t expect them to be that dominant, honestly,” he admitted.
“But it was exciting to watch, and I hope some American kids were watching too. This is the kind of stuff that can inspire the next generation.”
USMNT’s Gold Cup Run Wasn’t Perfect — But It Meant Something
Just a week and a half before Chelsea’s big win, the U.S. men’s national team had wrapped up their Gold Cup run with a tough loss to Mexico in the final.
It wasn’t their strongest squad — top players like Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun weren’t even on the roster — but Dempsey still saw value in the experience.
“There’s more chemistry now,” he said. “That tournament built something.
They fought hard, they made it to the final, and now we just need to mix that fighting spirit with our best talent as we move toward the World Cup.”
US Soccer Still Struggles to Pack Stadiums — and Dempsey Thinks Players Can Change That
One thing that still frustrates Dempsey? The lack of packed stadiums for U.S. games.
Guatemala fans turned a match in St. Louis into what felt like an away game for the Americans, and even coach Mauricio Pochettino asked fans to take notes from their passion.
Dempsey gets it. “You’ve got to give fans a reason to show up,” he said. “They’re spending hard-earned money.
It can’t just be about loyalty. You need to put out a product that makes people want to be there — and keep coming back.”
Pulisic Skipping the Gold Cup? Dempsey Isn’t Judging
While some fans raised eyebrows at Pulisic’s absence from the Gold Cup, Dempsey wasn’t one to throw shade.
In fact, he praised the AC Milan star for one of the best club seasons ever by an American player.
“If his body was worn down and he needed rest, that’s legit,” Dempsey said.
“I wouldn’t have skipped a tournament personally, but everyone’s different. And hey, I’ve got a lot of love for the guy.”
Real Talk from a Legend: Being a Pundit Means Telling It Straight
Dempsey’s transition from player to pundit hasn’t dulled his honesty.
“When stuff goes right, I’ll say it. When it doesn’t, I’ll say that too,” he explained.
“I’m not out here to hate. I’m just giving my take — keeping it real, that’s all.”
Dempsey Is Championing the Next Generation with Abbott and Real Madrid
Right now, Dempsey is working on a new project that’s close to his heart: helping young players from overlooked backgrounds get noticed.
He’s partnering with health company Abbott and Real Madrid for the “Abbott Dream Team” — a program that will send 11 American teens to train with the Spanish giants.
“What’s special about this is that it doesn’t matter where you’re from or how much money your family has,” he said.
“This is about giving talented kids a shot.”
Scouting in the U.S. Still Needs Work, Says Dempsey
When it comes to talent scouting in America, Dempsey thinks there’s still a long way to go.
“There’s kids falling through the cracks,” he said. “We need to find players who grew up playing on the street, who bring flair and creativity.
That’s the spark the national team needs more of.”
Looking Ahead to September — New Challenges, New Energy
As for what’s next, the U.S. men’s team has some big friendlies lined up in September — first against South Korea, then Japan.
With the World Cup on the horizon, and stars like Pulisic likely returning, fans and players alike are hoping that chemistry, creativity, and culture come together at just the right time.