The Resurgence of the 'Trump Sports Curse' After Argentina's World Cup Loss
Trump's Connection to Argentina's Defeat
Following Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final, US President Donald Trump has once again become the focal point of an internet conspiracy theory known as the "Trump sports curse." This theory gained traction after Trump praised Lionel Messi in a pre-match interview, only for Argentina to suffer defeat shortly thereafter. In a recorded chat with Fox Sports' Jenny Taft, Trump refrained from endorsing either team but acknowledged Messi's remarkable achievements. He stated, "I thought about it a lot. I knew that was a question. I hate to get involved, even though politically, it doesn't matter so much. I would say that it's hard to bet against Messi... I won't pick sides. I just think it's very hard to bet against Messi. He's great." After the match, Trump attended the trophy presentation, where he briefly interacted with Messi as Argentina received their runners-up medals, although he faced boos from parts of the audience during his entrance.
What Sparks the 'Trump Sports Curse' Discussion?
Why Are Fans Talking About A 'Trump Sports Curse'?
The term "Trump sports curse" has frequently appeared on social media whenever teams or athletes linked to the President experience surprising losses. Despite the lack of evidence supporting the existence of such a curse, it has become a popular meme rather than a reality. Argentina's recent defeat has led many to revisit past sporting events where Trump was present or showed support. A notable instance occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup when the US men's national team faced a significant 4-1 loss to Belgium shortly after Trump allegedly urged FIFA to reconsider Folarin Balogun's controversial suspension. Although FIFA lifted the ban, allowing Balogun to play, Belgium eliminated the US team with ease. Following this, the Belgian Football Association humorously mocked the situation on social media by sharing an image of Romelu Lukaku celebrating with the caption, "Overturn this."
Additional Events Supporting the Theory
Other Events Fueling The Theory
Basketball enthusiasts have also pointed to the 2026 NBA Finals, where Trump was present at Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks lost 115-111, ending a 13-game winning streak, leading some fans to jokingly attribute the loss to the President's presence. Videos emerged online showing fans performing a symbolic "cleansing" of Madison Square Garden with sage before the Knicks eventually won the championship series in five games. The theory re-emerged after Trump's attendance at a Washington Commanders game in late 2025, where the Detroit Lions triumphed over Washington 44-22. However, the Lions subsequently faced a dramatic downturn, losing five of their next eight games and missing the NFL playoffs. Former NFL receiver Kenny Stills humorously dubbed this slump the "Trump curse" on social media. Golf also plays a role in this narrative; Trump was present on the opening day of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, expressing optimism about the US team's chances. Ultimately, Europe triumphed over the US 15-13 after a comeback over the weekend.