U.S. men’s soccer star Christian Pulisic has been hit by writers with major news outlets after he celebrated making the first goal in the team’s victory against Jamaica by rocking the viral “Trump” dance move following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory.
After the game, Pulisic confirmed that it wasn’t political when he did the “Trump Dance,” which he said “everyone’s doing” and he thought was “funny.“ However, writers with Forbes and The Athletic attacked him for it and wrote that he might come to “regret it.”
Forbes columnist Ian Nicholas Quillen suggested Pulisic should keep the focus on the game rather than draw attention to Trump and questions about other teammates’ eligibility given where the president-elects stands on immigration.
“But all things being equal, Pulisic and his American teammates would probably rather the focus stay on the soccer they play,” Quillen wrote. “On Monday night, their captain made that tougher.”
Tim Weah and Yunus Musah qualify for the team based on birthright citizenship, Fox News noted.
Christian Pulisic when asked about his ‘Trump Dance’ celebration after scoring against Jamaica 🎙️
“I saw everyone doing it yesterday in the NFL, I saw Jon Jones do it, and we were just having a bit of fun. I thought it was a pretty fun dance.
Obviously, that’s the ‘Trump Dance’… pic.twitter.com/d3OSeRIww7
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 19, 2024
The Athletic writer Jeff Reuter wrote that the soccer captain should “consider how their actions will be perceived by their teammates and others.”
“He may not realize how Trump’s views on immigration could impact his dual-national teammates and their families,” Reuter wrote. “Regardless, this is a case where a dance conveys a meaning well beyond a simple gesture. With his nation co-hosting the World Cup in 2026, having the captain and face of the USMNT paying homage to Trump carries outsized subtext, intended or not.”
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“It doesn’t matter if Pulisic wants that responsibility to consider perception. That comes with being a leader,” he added. “He can cite eagerness to embrace that type of role but in light of Monday’s dance move, he’d be wise to consider what that distinction truly entails.”
Pulicic made headlines on Monday night at the Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals in St. Louis after he kicked the ball over the goalkeeper’s head to land it in the back of the net and take the U.S. up 1-0 in the game.
After the soccer star made the goal, he ran out of the goalie box and back out onto the field, where he stopped and did the “Trump” dance — making two fists and twisting his hips — which has become a viral sensation.
It became a trend on social media after supporters made videos of themselves doing the same dance moves that Trump often did when he danced to the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” at his numerous campaign rallies.
NFL players from across the league have also started celebrating their individual victories by doing the dance.
Related: Top USA Soccer Player Does ‘Trump’ Dance After Goal