Trump’s Victory Dance Sweeps Across American Sports: From Soccer Fields to UFC Octagons
Christian Pulisic joined a growing wave of athletes celebrating with former President Trump’s signature dance move after scoring a crucial goal in the USA’s dominant victory over Jamaica on Monday night.
The American soccer captain lit up the field in St. Louis with two spectacular goals, but it was his celebration after the first strike that caught everyone’s attention.
After cleverly chipping the ball over Jamaica’s goalkeeper in the 13th minute, Pulisic broke into the now-famous Trump dance—throwing one arm in the air and swaying in a move that’s become a viral sensation across American sports.
The celebration coincides with an extraordinary weekend in which the dance move rapidly spread throughout professional sports. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones kicked off the trend at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, performing the dance right in front of Trump himself after defending his title against Stipe Miocic with a devastating knockout.
“I watched the UFC fight last night, and Jon Jones did it. I thought it was cool,” said Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers, who brought the celebration to the NFL after scoring a crucial touchdown against the Miami Dolphins.
American sports have transformed the dance from a mere celebration into a cultural phenomenon. NFL stars such as Calvin Ridley, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Za’Darius Smith, and Malcolm Rodriguez have infused their unique style into the dance, resulting in a viral moment that has successfully connected politics and sports.
On the soccer field, Pulisic’s celebration came during a masterful performance that helped secure the USA’s place in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. The Americans dominated the match, racing to a 3-0 lead by halftime through Pulisic’s double and a Ricardo Pepi strike. Despite Jamaica pulling back two goals through Demarai Gray, the US held on for a comfortable 4-2 victory (5-2 on aggregate).
The win keeps alive the USA’s dream of a fourth straight Nations League title, with the semifinals set for March at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. But it’s Pulisic’s celebration that will likely be remembered as the moment that brought a political victory dance to the beautiful game.
“The celebration trend started with Nick Bosa in the NFL,” noted sports analyst Mark Thompson. “But seeing it spread across different sports—from the NFL to the UFC and now to soccer—shows how these cultural moments can transcend individual sports and become part of the broader American sports narrative.”
As the US team prepares for their semifinal matchup in March, one thing’s clear: the intersection of sports and political culture continues to evolve in unexpected ways. Whether you’re watching football, fighting, or soccer, there’s a decent chance you’ll spot an athlete breaking out the move that’s become America’s newest victory dance.
For now, Pulisic and his teammates will focus on their Nations League title defense. However, his celebration has already cemented its position in the expanding highlight reel of American athletes showcasing their unique take on a dance move that has captivated the nation