Mayor Mamdani Clams Up on Trump’s World Cup Red Card Intervention, Reporter Questions His Guts

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's silence on President Trump's intervention to overturn a World Cup red card against a US player raises eyebrows, with a reporter bluntly asking if the 34-year-old is “scared.”

Mamdani, a self-proclaimed soccer superfan, slammed the red card issued to US striker Folarin Balogun as “cruel,” yet he sidestepped inquiries about Trump’s role in the reversal.

“No, there’s no agreement between the president and I to not talk about this, and I haven’t talked to the president about the red card,” Mamdani stated, despite previously admitting to texting Trump following a surprisingly friendly White House meeting.

“I make my own decisions,” he asserted when pressed about his reluctance to comment. “I think more of us are now thinking about the game itself, the team, the incredible run, and the hopes for the future.”

Balogun faced a ban from a crucial match against Belgium due to the red card, but FIFA allowed him to play after US Soccer's push and Trump's direct appeal to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Ultimately, Balogun's presence did little to help, as the US team suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat, dashing their World Cup dreams in the Round of 16.

Mamdani expressed his belief that Balogun should never have received that red card, labeling it “a very difficult night.”

The controversial card was issued during a questionable penalty in the second half of a match against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Under tournament rules, Balogun had to sit out the remainder of that game without a replacement, and he faced an additional match ban.

FIFA officially reversed the ban on Sunday, yet Mamdani remained notably tight-lipped.

On the same day, he shared a clip of renowned soccer manager José Mourinho stating, “I prefer not to speak. If I speak, big trouble.”

This is a developing story.