The prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, became the stage for a deeply political spectacle on a snowy Friday, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Donald Trump with an inaugural peace prize during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony. The event, attended by the president’s cabinet, family, and international delegates, featured Infantino praising Trump’s diplomatic achievements and presenting him with a gold medal and trophy larger than the World Cup itself.
Trump accepted the honor without surprise, stating ‘This is truly one of the great honors of my life’ while claiming credit for saving ‘millions and millions of lives’ through his foreign policy. The ceremony included a video montage highlighting Trump’s meetings with world leaders and his claims of ‘ending eight wars.’
The event raised serious ethical concerns regarding FIFA’s mandated political neutrality. Miguel Maduro, former chairman of FIFA’s governance committee, previously warned that Infantino had violated the organization’s ethics code by urging universal support for Trump’s policies. Meanwhile, protest groups gathered outside the Kennedy Center to demonstrate against Trump’s immigration policies and his transformation of the historically apolitical institution.
Additional controversies emerged regarding immigration enforcement during the upcoming tournament. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup Task Force, confirmed that ICE could not guarantee protection from raids at stadiums for non-US citizens. This follows a previous incident where a father was arrested by ICE at a FIFA Club World Cup game in New Jersey for flying a drone to take family photos.
The Kennedy Center itself has undergone significant changes under Trump’s administration, with the president installing himself as chairman and appointing allies including former ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell to manage operations. These changes have prompted staff resignations and potential departures of cultural institutions like the Washington National Opera.