Trump marks assassination attempt anniversary at FIFA Club World Cup final

US President Donald Trump commemorated the first anniversary of a failed assassination attempt with family and close advisers at the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday. The event was held at MetLife Stadium, where Paris Saint-Germain faced Chelsea in the tournament’s grand finale.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump travelled from their Bedminster golf club to the stadium in East Rutherford, about 40 miles away. They arrived just before a musical performance by Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini, and were welcomed with cheers from the crowd. The couple settled into a luxury box to watch the highly anticipated match.

Historic match for PSG

The final held additional significance as Paris Saint-Germain aimed to secure its fourth major title of the season, exactly 100 days after winning the Ligue 1 title. Since then, PSG has captured the Coupe de France and the Champions League, making Sunday’s match a potential season-capping triumph.

A year since Butler, Pennsylvania incident

The occasion coincided with the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination on Trump’s life during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attempt shocked the nation and continues to shape Trump’s public engagements.

Sports and symbolism

Sporting events have dominated Trump’s domestic travel schedule since he took office earlier this year. In addition to the FIFA final, he has attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia.

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup

Trump maintains a close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and has expressed interest in attending several matches of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. MetLife Stadium, the site of Sunday’s match, will host the final of that tournament.

Diplomatic tensions add political undertones

Preparations for the World Cup continue amid tensions between the US and its neighbors over trade, immigration, and Trump’s provocative remarks—including his suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state. Trump has claimed these tensions will only make the tournament more compelling.
“Tension’s a good thing,” he remarked earlier this year.