Belgian Prime Minister Appears To Slip In A Trump World Cup Zinger During NATO Meeting

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever appeared to deliver a subtle jab at Donald Trump during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday. Speaking while NATO discussed an $80 billion military aid package for Ukraine, De Wever said the move would send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. De Wever described the aid as a “red card” to Putin, adding that you “can’t just take back a red card.” Trump was seated at the same table. The remarks were seen as referring to Trump’s admitted request that FIFA review a red-card suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the United States’ Round of 16 against Belgium. FIFA later overturned the suspension, and Belgium still won 4-1, with players mocking Trump in celebrations and on social media after the match.