A joint press conference between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki took a strange turn on Monday when Putin gave Trump a World Cup soccer ball, and Trump tossed it to his wife in order to give to their son.
Related: Pussy Riot Responsible for World Cup Final Protest That Disrupted Game
"I'll give this ball to you and now the ball is in your court," said Putin, whose country hosted the World Cup this year, and handed Trump a soccer ball to represent the U.S. holding the World Cup in 2026.
Trump patted the ball on the podium, then said, "That's right, thank you very much. We do host it, and we hope we do as good a job."
The U.S. president added: "That's very nice," in reference to the ball.
"That will go to my son, Barron. We have no question. In fact, Melania, here you go," Trump said, before tossing it at her in the front row of the room.
Putin: Mr. President, I'll give this ball to you. And now the ball is in your court. All the more that the U.S. will host the #WorldCup in 2026.
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) July 16, 2018
POTUS: Thank you very much... We hope we do as good a job. That's very nice. That will go to my son Barron... Melania, here you go. pic.twitter.com/yRuuFcBeoj
The first lady did not catch the ball. It bounced and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo caught it and passed it to Melania Trump, according to a CNN reporter. She then held it on her lap.
Barron Trump is Donald and Melania Trump's only child, and is 12 years old. He has largely been kept out of public view since Donald Trump entered the White House in January 2017.
The U.S. is hosting the World Cup in 2026 along with Mexico and Canada, after Qatar is due to host the competition in 2022. President Trump praised the World Cup, Russia and Putin after the final on Sunday.
"Congratulations to France, who played extraordinary soccer, on winning the 2018 World Cup," Trump tweeted. "Additionally, congratulations to President Putin and Russia for putting on a truly great World Cup Tournament — one of the best ever!"
President Trump's soccer ball toss was a light yet awkward moment during the press conference in Finland. The U.S. president again denied Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election and steered away from criticizing Putin, raising eyebrows even among Republicans.
The conference came only three days after the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 12 Russian intelligence officials on charges of hacking the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign to Donald Trump's benefit.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham had a more skeptical view of the soccer ball episode.
"If it were me, I'd check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House," Graham tweeted.
Graham also tweeted: "Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
A Los Angeles native, Jessica Kwong grew up speaking Spanish, Cantonese and English, in that order. Her journalism career started ... Read more
