Trump Personally Called FIFA President to Overturn Red Card for U.S. Player
"And then he says he asked Infantino for FIFA to do this review that did end up happening. And all of this, though, I think the timeline is key now that unfortunately the U.S. has lost. I think it's important for us to look back at the timeline of how that red card actually got overturned, because on Wednesday the White House FIFA task force director, who is Andrew Giuliani, told President Trump about the suspension. About the red card. Then you saw Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick even getting involved. And they put together this legal team to make an appeal. President Trump got the FIFA president on the phone Thursday. And then fast-forward a couple of days to yesterday, that red card was overturned."
About this episode
Host Jesse Weber covers breaking news and legal analysis across multiple high-profile stories on this edition of Jesse Weber Live. The episode leads with dramatic testimony from the Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing in Utah, where prosecutors presented surveillance footage tracking Robinson's movements before and after the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A Utah police officer testified that law enforcement had no security plan in place for the event—no drones, no rooftop monitoring, and no coordination—despite Kirk's high profile. Defense attorney Mark Geragos, appearing as a guest analyst, revealed that Robinson's defense is highlighting a second man who was arrested at the scene and allegedly confessed, raising questions about reasonable doubt. The legal segment included discussion of the prosecution's evidence, the defense strategy, and the looming possibility of the death penalty. Weber also covers Team USA's 4-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16, overshadowed by controversy surrounding President Trump's direct intervention with FIFA to reverse a red card suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. White House correspondent Libby Dean detailed how Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, prompting international criticism and accusations of improper political influence. The episode also examines a horrifying child endangerment case in Ohio, where 16 children were found living in feces-filled conditions in a 12-by-12 room. Prosecutors charged four family members, and Weber discusses whether the mother's attorney can successfully argue she was a victim of coercion and indoctrination. Additional segments include a breakdown of COVID-related IRS tax refunds with a July 10th deadline, a Senate race controversy in Maine involving sexual assault allegations, and a brief on the ongoing royal family feud after Prince Harry's invitation to Buckingham Palace was reportedly withdrawn.
Key takeaways
- Utah police officer testifies that law enforcement had no security plan, no drones, and no rooftop monitoring for Charlie Kirk event where shooting occurred, raising questions about preventability.
- Defense attorney Mark Geragos reveals another man was arrested at Charlie Kirk shooting scene and allegedly confessed, complicating the prosecution's case against Tyler Robinson.
- President Trump directly intervened with FIFA president Gianni Infantino to overturn red card suspension for U.S. World Cup player, drawing international backlash and corruption accusations.
- Four Ohio family members charged with child endangerment after authorities found 16 children living in feces-filled 12-by-12 room, some described as almost feral.
- Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Plattner faces calls to drop out after sexual assault allegations from former girlfriend, jeopardizing critical battleground race.
- Americans have until July 10th to file claims for COVID-related IRS penalty refunds stemming from a 2025 court ruling on pandemic filing deadlines.
- Prince Harry's invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace during London visit reportedly withdrawn amid conflicting accounts from royal sources and Harry's camp over timing and legal concerns.