By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum finally met in person after months of phone calls, with the focus of their initial discussion being the upcoming 2026 World Cup, although trade and tariffs were also addressed. Despite the importance of border security in the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, immigration was not a primary focus during the meeting. While Mexico is the United States’ largest trading partner, the two leaders also discussed ongoing trade issues, including tariffs on automobiles, steel, and aluminum. The meeting suggests that Sheinbaum has successfully negotiated with Trump, as evidenced by her success in mitigating many tariffs and other successes in the bilateral relationship.
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Trump is meeting Mexican President Sheinbaum in person for the first time at the World Cup draw, and frankly, the whole situation is a bit of a head-scratcher. The fact that Trump is receiving a “FIFA Peace Prize” – seemingly a newly invented award designed just for him – is, let’s just say, eyebrow-raising. It feels a bit like FIFA is trying to butter him up. Maybe this is a new type of diplomacy, where you have to shower him with praise and manufactured accolades to get anything done.
This raises questions about Trump’s intentions. Will he keep the “FIFA Peace Prize” medal close by during his meeting with President Sheinbaum? Given his track record, it’s easy to anticipate that he’ll likely try to appear extra charming and respectful. The comments suggest that some people expect him to fall all over Sheinbaum, showering her with flattering words.
There’s a clear sense of unease about the World Cup itself. The concerns about high ticket prices, potentially long distances to travel for games, and inflated hotel and airline costs are legitimate. It sounds like the fans are in for a rough time, and sadly, it seems the people making the money are not the ones who will be attending.
The discussion also turns to potential issues that could arise from the meeting itself. There’s a fear that Trump might embarrass the U.S. and that his behavior could be, well, less than professional. Some people seem genuinely worried about his interactions with President Sheinbaum, especially given his past behavior. The underlying assumption is that he will try to assert his dominance or engage in inappropriate comments.
The speculation also delves into whether Trump will use this opportunity to extract some kind of deal or favor. The phrase “extorting this time” is telling. Could this meeting be about securing support for something specific? It’s also interesting that people are mentioning the potential influence this could have on things like visa issuance.
The mention of the “FIFA Peace Prize” is important. It highlights a certain level of corruption within FIFA, who are perceived as being willing to do anything to please him. The fact that the award seems to have been invented solely for Trump underscores this point. This seems to be another situation where people are worried about the possible consequences of the former president’s actions and influence, including potential intervention by ICE.
It’s clear that this event has many people feeling cynical. The feeling is that Trump might not care about the sport and that this meeting is more about his ego and personal gain. Some people are already predicting that he’ll try to find a way to take credit for the World Cup.
The entire situation seems to be viewed as a bit absurd, and the conversation is filled with sarcasm and dark humor. The idea that someone like Trump could be associated with “peace” is seen as a joke. The consensus seems to be that FIFA is essentially playing up to Trump, and the overall feeling is one of weariness and skepticism.
The speculation also touches on how President Sheinbaum might handle the meeting. The idea that she knows how to “play” Trump suggests that she understands how to navigate the situation. The expectation is that she’ll be polite and agreeable, while perhaps not actually following through with anything he wants. This approach is rooted in the belief that Trump will quickly lose interest and move on.
The general mood is not only a pessimistic view of the meeting but also a negative impression on the FIFA event itself. The main concern, however, lies in the potential for Trump’s behavior to create embarrassment for the U.S. and how this meeting may impact the World Cup and its attendees.