U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday released an artificial-intelligence-generated video of himself playing an energetic game of football with Cristiano Ronaldo inside the White House, only days after dining with the global sports icon.
Shared on Trump’s official social media accounts, the digitally created clip shows the president executing a series of stylized moves—keep-ups, headers and dribbles—beside the Portuguese star. The post immediately ignited widespread attention online and is drawing millions of views.
. Newsweek has contacted the White House and Ronaldo’s representatives for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump’s AI-generated football clip arrives as artificial media becomes a central issue in global politics, raising questions about authenticity and the role of manipulated content in public life. While the video leans into humor, it highlights how major political figures increasingly use AI tools to shape personal image and broaden digital engagement across multiple platforms.
The post also followed Trump’s high-profile state dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where Ronaldo was a prominent guest. Their continued public interaction reflects the administration’s strategy of blending celebrity influence with diplomatic visibility, reinforcing the soft-power value of globally recognized figures.
What to Know
The video portrays Trump and Ronaldo casually kicking a football around the Oval Office. Trump is shown spinning to intercept the ball before sending it toward the viewer, creating a humorous, theatrical rendition of athletic prowess. Shared on both his Truth Social and Instagram accounts, the clip resonated widely despite its unmistakably artificial nature, and the numbers are still rising, with Instagram views alone surpassing 55 million in a short period.
Social Media’s Reaction
Online audiences responded with a mix of disbelief and humor. One user remarked, “Haters will say it’s AI.” Another joked, “Bro, I really thought this was a meme page. This is the president of the USA. Lol.” A third added a political jab, writing, “Biden could never.” The combination of a signature political setting and exaggerated AI-generated athletic moves fueled broader discussion about how synthetic media continues to blur expectations of authenticity from world leaders.
Ronaldo’s Golden Key
Earlier, Ronaldo shared photos on Instagram from his White House visit with his partner, Spanish model Georgina Rodriguez, highlighting the warm welcome he received from Trump and the First Lady. At the state dinner honoring the Saudi crown prince, attended by officials from both nations, Trump publicly acknowledged the soccer star and presented him with a symbolic golden key to the White House. In his post, Ronaldo wrote that he “stands ready to do my part as we inspire new generations to build a future defined by courage, responsibility and lasting peace.”
Celebrity Diplomacy
During the state dinner, Ronaldo was seated near the front of the East Room, close to where Trump and Mohammed bin Salman addressed attendees. Trump referenced his youngest son Barron’s admiration for Ronaldo, saying, “Barron got to meet him. And I think he respects his father a little bit more, now, just the fact that I introduced you…So I just want to thank you both for being here. Thank you very much. Really an honor.” The footballer’s presence served as a symbol of global cultural influence intersecting with political power in a high-visibility setting.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump: “Ronaldo is a GREAT GUY. Loved meeting him at the White House. Really smart, and cool!!! President DJT.”
Cristiano Ronaldo: “Thank you Mr President for your invitation and for the warm welcome you and the First Lady gave me and my future wife, @georginagio. Each of us has something meaningful to give, and I stand ready to do my part as we inspire new generations to build a future defined by courage, responsibility and lasting peace.”
What Happens Next
The viral AI video is likely to remain a talking point as debates continue over the role of synthetic media in political messaging. With technology advancing rapidly, the intersection of presidential identity, digital creativity and public perception will only become more prominent in the months ahead.
