A lip reader has revealed the conversations Donald Trump had with baffled Chelsea stars after the US President joined their FIFA Club World Cup trophy celebrations on Sunday night.
Trump had watched on from the stands as Chelsea secured a surprise 3-0 win against European champions PSG, with Palmer scoring a brace while Joao Pedro was also on target.
Having been given VIP treatment during the match alongside First Lady Melania and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump took centre stage during the trophy presentation.
Trump, who was booed by a section of the crowd, presented Robert Sanchez with the tournament’s golden glove award.
Viewers of DAZN’s coverage were then able to watch an unlikely exchange, as Infantino introduced Trump to Palmer, as the Chelsea and England star walked up to collect his player of the tournament prize.
Lip reading expert Jeremy Freeman revealed Trump had words of admiration for Palmer, after watching his stunning performance in the final.
US President Donald Trump’s interactions with Chelsea stars have been revealed after he had bizarrely gatecrashed their FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation
Trump was seen speaking to Chelsea stars, as FIFA president Gianni Infantino attempted unsuccessfully to usher him off the stage
A lip reading expert revealed Trump told Cole Palmer ‘I’m a big fan of you’ after presenting him with the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player
‘Chelsea’s biggest fan. I’m a big fan of you. So well done you,’ Trump said, according to Freeman.
Palmer, who has be known to offer few words in post-match interviews, reportedly replied ‘Thank you’ before rejoining his team-mates.
The 23-year-old’s reaction to Trump’s decision to remain on stage during Chelsea’s trophy presentation, however, has garnered the biggest reaction from fans.
The US President had been given the honour of presenting the trophy to Blues captain Reece James, with the expectation that he would then step aside, as it customary.
Infantino was seen attempting to usher Trump away from Chelsea players, but the US president remained in place, standing either side of James and Sanchez.
Trump’s refusal to leave the stage left Chelsea players bewildered with Palmer appearing to say, ‘What’s he doing?’.
Speaking post-match, Palmer admitted ‘I knew he was going to be here but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy so I was a bit confused, yeah.’
Further light has been shed on Trump’s presence in the trophy presentation, with his interactions with Chelsea captain James and goalkeeper Sanchez having been revealed.
Palmer had appeared baffled by Trump’s continued presence during the trophy presentation
Palmer admitted at a press conference that he was ‘a bit confused’ by the situation
While Palmer appeared confused in the background, Freeman revealed James had asked for Trump’s permission to lift the trophy.
As Palmer said ‘No, no, just wait, wait…wait…wait’, James was seen turning to the US President to seek his approval.
James reportedly said ‘I can lift?’, with Trump responding ‘Oh we can, good!’
According to Freeman, Sanchez had been open to Trump remaining on the stage and being part of the celebrations.
‘Please, sir,’ the goalkeeper said to Trump, according to Freeman, before asking him ‘Want us to lift the trophy next to you?’
With Trump having signalled his approval, Sanchez was seen motioning for James to lift the trophy and kick-start the celebrations.
Trump was then seen beaming at the front of the squad of Chelsea players as James lifted the trophy aloft.
Fans had been left baffled by Trump’s role in the presentation, with Chelsea supporters comparing his presence to their former captain John Terry.
Chelsea goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez reportedly signalled his approval for Trump to stay
James and Sanchez both spoke to Trump to clarify whether he would stay for the trophy lift
Sanchez was seen motioning for James to lift the trophy after receiving approval from Trump
The US President was seen beaming in the background as James lifted the trophy aloft
Terry infamously wore a full kit as he celebrated Chelsea winning the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012 despite the fact that he didn’t play in the game due to suspension.
One fan on X couldn’t resist making a comparison with Terry as they wrote: ‘Trump gone all John Terry’.
Meanwhile, another supporter wrote: ‘Trump ruined the Chelsea celebration photo’.
Furthermore, another added: ‘Donald trump just stood there waiting for the celebration’.
Another stated: ‘Trump standing clueless in the middle of Chelsea’s celebration photos lifting the trophy is brilliant lmao’.
Another supporter remarked: ‘Chelsea laughing their heads off at Trump joining them for celebration. Good stuff.’
Trump and wife Melania had touched down around 35 minutes before kickoff at the MetLife Stadium at the nearby Teterboro Airport on the presidential Marine One helicopter.
After being spotted touching down near MetLife, Trump surfaced inside the stadium loud cheers could be heard from the 80,000 in attendance.
Trump took centre stage as he attended the Club World Cup final with First Lady Melania
The president salutes the crowd as the national anthem rings around MetLife in New Jersey
Trump and Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, react following the FIFA Club World Cup final
Trump had played a key role in presenting tournament awards following the final
Trump’s son, Donald Jr . and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson were also seen headed to the game, and they shared a kiss on the runway as they waited for the president to arrive.
The outing fell on the first anniversary of the assassination attempt Trump survived in Butler, Pennsylvania last year, and significant security measures were put in place for his arrival.
Secret service officials had reportedly worked with organisers to put together a travel route to the venue, and it was believed he would be behind a pane of bulletproof glass at the game.
The president was put on screen at MetLife during the singing of the national anthem prior to the game, and reports emerged from the stadium that he was booed before the stadium camera cut away from him.
MetLife Stadium later echoed with more boos when Trump, joined by Infantino, made his way out onto the field to present the champions with the trophy.
His involvement in the trophy presentation had reportedly created another security challenge, but Trump remained involved throughout.
