sports
March 4, 2026
With or without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s Trump visit means something
The MLS champions face a familiar conundrum: lend credence to a warmongering administration, or sit out and draw heat
TL;DR
- Donald Trump will host Inter Miami at the White House to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup win.
- The visit occurs at a politically fraught time, following past controversies involving Trump and sports teams.
- Athletes face a difficult decision whether to visit the White House, as it can be seen as condoning the administration or making a political statement.
- Past examples include the US women's hockey team not attending after a sexist joke and the Golden State Warriors skipping visits during Trump's first term.
- Sports administrators are criticized for not shielding players from these political decisions.
- Inter Miami, with or without Lionel Messi, must decide how to navigate this political quagmire, as their choice will be interpreted and have lasting implications.
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