Some fans and commentators are blaming the United States men’s national soccer team's exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup on a "Trump curse."
This theory suggests that the involvement or support of Donald Trump leads to failure for the entities he touches. The discussion has turned a sporting defeat into a broader commentary on the influence of the former president on American institutions.
The U.S. fell to Belgium with a final score of 1-0 [1]. The match took place on Dec. 1, 2022 [2], at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar [3]. Following the loss, a narrative emerged on social media and in media circles describing a "reverse Midas touch," a concept appearing in three separate reports [4].
Commentator Chris Hayes said that everything Donald Trump touches is worse off for it. He said that Trump wants to put his touch on everything, specifically noting America’s most talented and popular athletes [5].
Fan reactions on social media mirrored this sentiment. One anonymous USMNT fan said the team just cannot seem to win when Trump is around, describing the situation as a "Trump curse" in action [6].
While some view the theory as a tongue-in-cheek observation by sports fans, other commentators have framed it as a more serious analysis of Trump's impact. An opinion columnist for The Independent said that if Trump used his reverse Midas touch on anyone but America, the country might be winning again [7].
The theory posits that the former president's perceived negative influence extends beyond politics and into the realm of professional athletics, creating a pattern of failure for those he supports.
“Everything Donald Trump touches is worse off for it.”
The emergence of the 'Trump curse' narrative illustrates the deep political polarization within U.S. culture, where sporting outcomes are interpreted through a political lens. By attributing a tactical athletic loss to a political figure's perceived 'aura' or influence, commentators and fans are reflecting a broader societal debate over Donald Trump's legacy and his effect on national symbols.
