Cristiano Ronaldo meets Donald Trump, faces backlash
Cristiano Ronaldo has been labelled a “fascist scumbag” following his visit to the White House this week where he met with Donald Trump, reports BritPanorama.
The criticism originated from former American sports pundit-turned-political commentator Keith Olbermann, who expressed his disapproval through social media. On X, Olbermann stated: “Crawl with fascist scumbags and you’ve become a fascist scumbag,” sharing a selfie-style photo taken by Ronaldo.
The image depicted Ronaldo alongside Elon Musk, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
This gathering, hosted by Trump, also welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, drawing a notable array of high-profile attendees. Ronaldo attended as part of the Saudi delegation, arriving with Rodriguez.
Since the event, Ronaldo has shared an Instagram photo that shows him with both Rodriguez and Trump in the Oval Office. In the image, he holds a gold-plated key to the White House presented as a ceremonial item.
These keys, while labelled as such, do not function as real keys for entry but serve as commemorative gifts, often presented in decorative wooden boxes. Alongside the image, Ronaldo expressed gratitude, saying: “Thank you, Mr. President, for your invitation and for the warm welcome you and the First Lady gave me and my future wife, @georginagio.” He added that he is ready to contribute to inspiring future generations towards courage and peace.
Ronaldo also shared footage of him walking with Trump, accompanied by Rodriguez, which had been released by the White House. During his address to guests, Trump highlighted Ronaldo’s presence and how it positively influenced his youngest son. “Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now – just the fact that I introduced you,” Trump noted.
The gathering marked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first visit to America since US intelligence implicated him in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Trump, during the Oval Office meeting, dismissed inquiries about this issue, asserting that the Crown Prince “knew nothing about it.”
Ronaldo’s visit to the United States comes with increasing significance as the 2026 World Cup approaches, with many matches set to occur in the country. Portugal, having secured their place in the tournament this past weekend, is scheduled to play an exhibition match against the US team in Atlanta next March.
The juxtaposition of celebrity and politics continues to draw attention, illustrating how icons navigate complex political landscapes while maintaining their global brand. The fractured lines between sports, celebrity, and political endorsements highlight the nuanced conversations about accountability in the public eye.
