Donald Trump’s latest call for VAR to review the supposed red card against USMNT striker Folarin Balogun during a friendly against Bosnia exposes a glaring hypocrisy in the media narrative. While left-leaning outlets like CNN and MSNBC would notoriously spin any controversial statements from Trump as frivolous or irrelevant, they ironically amplify his voice whenever it fits their agenda. Suddenly, his declarations about sports governance become fodder for mockery rather than serious analysis.

Why the double standard? Because this isn’t just about soccer; it’s about narrative control. Corporate media consistently sidelines genuine discussions for sensationalism. They treat Trump’s entreaties as clumsy when they could be frames for an authentic conversation about sports officiating and accountability. Yet, no one takes a moment to ponder: what if the red card was indeed unjust? That conversation deserves a spotlight, regardless of who raises it.

Further, Trump invokes FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a name few could conjure unless they’re knee-deep in soccer lore. The mainstream media loves to dismiss Trump’s position as a publicity stunt, but isn’t that rich coming from outlets that profit off sensationalized clicks? They would rather maintain their establishment consensus than wrestle with the complexities of sports governance or the entertainment industry’s controversial figures.

In a world that craves authenticity, the same corporate media that vilifies Trump also feeds into his narrative with selective outrage. As always, the real question is: who pulls the strings in this theater of the absurd called mainstream media?