Donald Trump's 'flirty' interview with DAZN reporter leaves internet divided
NEW JERSEY: Donald Trump sparked mixed reactions among soccer fans after a postgame interview following Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
The former president was seated beside FIFA President Gianni Infantino as Chelsea lifted the trophy. After the final whistle, Trump took the spotlight again during a three-and-a-half minute interview with DAZN reporter Emily Austin.
During the interview, Trump joked about a possible executive order to rename soccer in the United States. When Austin suggested Americans should officially call it “football,” Trump replied cheekily, “I think we could do that.”
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Trump also used the platform to criticize his political opponents. When asked about the future of the U.S. national soccer teams, he avoided the question, instead boasting about the country’s political and financial successes.
“A year ago, your country was dead and now you have the hottest country in the world,” he said. “We were doing very badly… But now we have a hot country, it’s really hot, and I think the soccer’s gonna be hot too.”
He concluded the interview emphasizing soccer’s unifying power, calling it “probably the most international sport,” and saying it “can really bring the world together.”
The interview, however, divided fans on social media. Many criticized DAZN for giving Trump a platform during an international soccer event. Comments ranged from calling the broadcast “absurd” and “embarrassing” to accusing it of being “propaganda.” Some viewers even suggested Trump was flirting with the reporter.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Chelsea celebrated their second Club World Cup title, defeating PSG 3-0 with goals from Cole Palmer and new signing Joao Pedro.
Who is Emily Austin?
Emily Austin is an American journalist, broadcaster, and social media influencer. Born on May 24, 2001, in Brooklyn, New York, to Israeli parents, she grew up on Long Island and attended North Shore Hebrew Academy. Austin later studied journalism at Hofstra University before transferring to Touro University due to concerns about the political climate at Hofstra.
Austin began her career in sports journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic by interviewing athletes on Instagram, leading to opportunities with MTV and Sports Illustrated. In 2023, she launched the NBA podcast The Hoop Chat with Emily Austin, featuring interviews with NBA players. In April 2024, she joined DAZN as a social reporter, covering major boxing events like the Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov fight.
She is also the CEO of People’s Beauty, a gender-neutral, environmentally friendly skincare brand that emphasizes affordability and sustainability.
In 2023, she served as a judge for the Miss Universe pageant, one of the youngest to do so.
Austin has amassed a significant following on social media platforms, boasting over 2.4 million followers on Instagram. She uses her platform not only for sports coverage but also for advocacy work, particularly in combating antisemitism and supporting Israel.