![Diehard Trump -Supporting Soccer Fan Thrown Out of MLS Stadium for Wearing MAGA Cap [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.ibtimes.sg%2Fen%2Ffull%2F82730%2Fmichael-weitzel.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Diehard Trump -Supporting Soccer Fan Thrown Out of MLS Stadium for Wearing MAGA Cap [WATCH]
Michael Weitzel was wearing the signature red hat bearing former President Trump's campaign slogan during the July 26 St. Louis City SC match at Energizer Park when security personnel approached him and told him to leave, with roughly 25 minutes left in the game. The video, first shared on X by journalist Greg Keller, shows Weitzel recording himself while being escorted out of the stadium by police for wearing the "Make America Great Again" hat at the venue.
Pulled Up for No Mistake
Michael Weitzel was thrown out from a MSL stadium for wearing a MAGA cap X
The short encounter, recorded by Weitzel and shared on social media, took place after a complaint was made to stadium police during the middle of the game. "I didn't think there'd be any issue with wearing that to the game, but with about 25 minutes left in the game, I was basically told they'd received a complaint about my hat," the season ticket holder told KFTK's Marc Cox Morning Show.
"They told me I could either hide the hat or take it out to my car or leave. I'm not gonna take my hat off for anybody. I live in America, which is the land of the free and the home of the brave, I thought. So you do what you have to do."
As Weitzel was being escorted out, a police officer—who said he also supports Trump—explained that he was simply carrying out the club's policy banning political expressions at the venue. In the background, the sound of boos and jeers can be heard.
"He gets it, he's just following the rules," Weitzel says of the officer dealing with him. "It's not his fault. This is the stadium's rules here."
Club's Own Rules
Michael Weitzel seen being removed from the stadium for wearing a MAGA cap X
The exact timing of the incident remains uncertain. Keller shared the video on August 2, saying it took place "last night," although the most recent St. Louis City match was a friendly against Premier League club Aston Villa on July 30.
According to the Fan Code of Conduct on the soccer club's website, the 32-acre St. Louis stadium does not allow political banners, flags, images, or signs inside the venue unless they have received prior approval.
Weitzel told KFTK that he was keeping to himself during the match, choosing to ignore other fans who were "giving him the finger," and said he was shocked that the current political atmosphere has led to situations like this.
Now hesitant to go back to Energizer Stadium, he said that the incident has made him reconsider attending, despite having already bought tickets for the next three seasons to support the St. Louis team.
"I do want to see them do well," Weitzel told the morning show. I don't really want to let the actions of a few small-minded people or a few angry complainers stop me from enjoying something that I love."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Straits Times
Los Angeles FC agree to terms with Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min: Reports
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min applauding fans after playing his last game for the club on Aug 3. LOS ANGELES – Son Heung-min, who spent 10 seasons with Tottenham Hotspur and stars for the South Korea national team, has a deal in place to join Los Angeles FC (LAFC), according to multiple reports. LAFC will pay a transfer fee of around US$26 million (S$33.5 million), GiveMeSport and ESPN reported, which would break the Major League Soccer record of US$22 million that Atlanta United paid to acquire Emmanuel Latte Lath last off-season. Son, 33, announced over the weekend that he planned to leave Tottenham, saying he achieved everything that he could with the north London club and he was interested in a new challenge. Tottenham faced Newcastle United in a friendly in Seoul, which served as Son's farewell match. He received a standing ovation and a guard of honour and said he had 'a huge respect and am very grateful' to his old club. Son scored 172 goals and added 94 assists in 451 matches for Tottenham across all competitions, with 127 coming in the English Premier League. As captain, he helped the Spurs win the 2025 Europa League for the first major trophy of his career. He previously played in Bundesliga for Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen. Son has also scored 51 goals in 134 matches for South Korea and is the country's second-leading scorer of all time. Son played in the past three World Cups. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim World Israel says it will allow controlled entry of goods into Gaza via merchants Singapore Singapore-made bot matchmakes strangers virtually – without profile photos Life Urinary issues: Enlarged prostate affects half of men in their 50s and up Business Lendlease Reit to sell office component of Jem to Keppel for $462 million Singapore Conditional warning for ex-manager at Mendaki accused of trying to obtain laptop as bribe In LAFC – who also signed Scottish defender Ryan Porteous from Watford on Aug 4 – Son is joining a decorated Major League Soccer side who are vying for another play-off berth. Los Angeles (10-6-6, 36 points) are sixth in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Czech striker Patrik Schick has extended his contract with Son's former team Leverkusen through to 2030, the Bundesliga club announced on Aug 4. Schick, 29, was an integral part of Leverkusen's unbeaten German domestic double-winning squad in the 2023-24 season. Since joining the Werkself in 2020, Schick has netted 81 times in 168 appearances in all competitions, as well as laying on 12 assists. Under the tutelage of now-departed coach Xabi Alonso, Schick contributed vital goals on numerous occasions as Leverkusen became the first club to win the Bundesliga without losing a match. He also lifted the German Cup and German Super Cup in 2024. 'I want to and will continue to contribute goals, that's my strength. In addition, I'm also looking to being a key part of the rebuild into a new team capable of winning trophies,' said Schick. The forward's decision to extend his contract bucks the trend of departures this summer from the Bundesliga runners-up. Alonso left to coach Real Madrid, and has been followed out the door by star playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka and Jonathan Tah. 'With the rebuild in the next cycle at Bayer 04 we see Patrik as a motor of development,' said managing director of sport Simon Rolfes. 'He combines top-quality ability and an exceptional goal return with international experience and he will give the squad the necessary stability and structure.' Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has replaced Alonso in the Leverkusen hot-seat as the club start down a new path. He and Schick will be supported in that project by the recent arrivals of centre-backJarell Quansah from Liverpool, goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford and American creative midfielder Malik Tillman. Elsewhere in Germany, Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus returned to training on Aug 4 following his weeks-long suspension and publicly apologised about a video in which he had appeared to mock the Bundesliga club's sporting director Roland Virkus. Neuhaus was fined and suspended for four weeks in early July. In a video posted on social media last month, 28-year-old former Germany international Neuhaus could be seen talking to several people wearing Gladbach kits about Virkus, who he called 'the worst manager in the world'. REUTERS, AFP

Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Straits Times
Florian Wirtz's creativity can make up for Trent Alexander-Arnold loss, says Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Liverpool's Florian Wirtz (right) in action with Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta during the Reds' 3-2 friendly win at Anfield on Aug 4. LIVERPOOL – Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid has left Liverpool wanting for creativity but the signing of attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz can help offset that deficiency, the English Premier League club's manager Arne Slot said. Liverpool smashed their transfer record in June to sign Wirtz and bolster their attacking options, with the German international having scored 57 goals and provided 65 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz played in a Liverpool shirt for the first time at Anfield on Aug 4, putting in an impressive performance in the Merseyside club's 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in a pre-season match. Cody Gakpo found the net three times, twice for the Reds sandwiched by an own goal for Bilbao, during an eventful outing. Before his three goals, Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool, before Oihan Sancet equalised for the visitors. 'I think there's always room for improvement in every department. Like I said, we've added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons. So, Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third,' Slot told reporters. 'We've lost with Trent a lot of creativity from the back. Trent's crosses and picking out runners was so special – I think Flo has this quality as well in a totally different position. 'But he brings that creativity, the pace of Hugo (Ekitike), the pace of both fullbacks – Milos (Kerkez) and Jeremie (Frimpong) today.' Liverpool, who won the Premier League to secure a record-equalling 20th English title, have been busy in the transfer market as they look to build on last season's success. Slot said it was crucial to strengthen the squad. 'Our competitors are not sitting still,' he added. 'Not only they try to improve as well but they have also made a lot of signings, like we all have done. So that's why it's going to be a very interesting Premier League in the upcoming year again.' Liverpool take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Aug 10, before beginning their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield on Aug 15. Elsewhere in the Premier League, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris was rewarded with a new long-term contract until 2028 on Aug 4 after leading the club to the top flight. The 49-year-old Frenchman was appointed in June 2024 after leaving Lorient and led the Black Cats back into the top flight. A 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final in May marked the club's return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence. 'The connection I have with the staff, players and supporters has been natural, and we shared many great moments together,' said Le Bris, whose side open their campaign at home to West Ham United on Aug 16. 'The collective ambition is there to see and now, there is a desire to become stronger. I can feel the energy and intent to push forward, and we need that in the next challenges we will face. 'In every part of the organisation, everyone has their own part to play, and we are all aligned.' Sunderland finished fourth in the Championship last season before earning a dramatic play-off semi-final victory over Coventry to seal their spot at Wembley, where Tommy Watson's winner secured top flight football. The club have signed eight players over the summer, including former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka. Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi said: 'Regis' new contract is a mark of recognition for the outstanding work he's undertaken since arriving at Sunderland, and more importantly, it reflects our trust in the future we're building together. 'Our objective is to establish Sunderland as a Premier League Club – not just in name, but in identity, performance, and ambition – and Regis is an important part of that vision.' REUTERS, AFP

Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
Wirtz's creativity can make up for Alexander-Arnold loss, says Liverpool boss Slot
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid has left Liverpool wanting for creativity but the signing of attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz can help offset that deficiency, the Premier League club's manager Arne Slot said. Liverpool smashed their transfer record in June to sign Wirtz and bolster their attacking options, with the German international having scored 57 goals and provided 65 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz played in a Liverpool shirt for the first time at Anfield on Monday, putting in an impressive performance in the Merseyside club's 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in a pre-season match. "I think there's always room for improvement in every department. Like I said, we've added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons. So, Florian (Wirtz) has a lot of creativity in the final third," Slot told reporters. "We've lost with Trent (Alexander-Arnold) a lot of creativity from the back. Trent's crosses and picking out runners was so special – I think Flo has this quality as well in a totally different position. "But he brings that creativity, the pace of Hugo (Ekitike), the pace of both full-backs – Milos (Kerkez) and Jeremie (Frimpong) today." Liverpool, who won the Premier League to secure a record-equalling 20th English title, have been busy in the transfer market as they look to build on last season's success. Slot said it was crucial to strengthen the squad. "Our competitors are not sitting still," he added. "Not only they try to improve as well but they have also made a lot of signings, like we all have done. So that's why it's going to be a very interesting Premier League in the upcoming year again." Liverpool take on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on August 10, before beginning their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15. REUTERS