Donald Trump recently criticized the World Cup referee who issued a red card to USA’s Folarin Balogun, labeling the official as “suspect” prior to his own involvement in overturning the striker’s one-game suspension.

While speaking at the White House on Monday, the President stood by his extraordinary action. He clarified that although he did discuss the issue with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, he did not explicitly demand the reversal of Balogun’s ban during their phone conversation.

This incident has incited anger in Belgium, the USA’s next rival, prompting them to make a last-ditch appeal to reinstate the ban just hours before the game in Seattle.

In response, Trump confidently told the Belgians that proceeding without Balogun in the World Cup last-16 match would equate to a “rigged” game. He also criticized Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who had shown the red card.

“Yes, I did speak to Gianni,” Trump admitted. “I asked FIFA for a review, and that’s where my involvement ended. I’m familiar with how these things work. That wasn’t a foul. There was no infraction; just two players running at full speed who collided accidentally.”

‘You can’t properly place your foot on somebody else’s foot when you’re going full speed. No, these were two great athletes who got tangled up. And this referee, who is a little bit suspect – if you check his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. If you’d like, I’ll provide you with his past.’

Claus was once accused of match-fixing in 2023 in Brazil but was never charged with any wrongdoing and there is no suggestion of any type of allegation aimed at Claus in this World Cup.

‘Firstly, it wasn’t a foul,’ Trump added. ‘And then you have to look at the person who made the decision. The game tonight is going to be amazing. We are going to have a full team and Belgium is going to have a full team. And you know what, if they beat us they can be really proud.

‘This game would have had a big mark on it. The other way, if they beat us I would say it is rigged, just like the election was rigged in 2020. I think they made a brilliant decision, I thought the referee’s decision was horrible. Nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it was fine.’

Balogun, USA’s top scorer in the tournament with three goals, was given a straight red card during the USA’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32 – a decision at the time that was criticized for being wrong. 

He tangled with Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic and his leg raked down Muharemovic’s calf while he was struggling for balance and jostling to win possession of the ball.

Trump continued: ‘He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong, and he’s our best player, or one of our best players, a very vital player and they gave him a red card.

‘I didn’t think it meant much. Then I started hearing that it means you can’t play in the next game, at least in the next game. 

‘That’s one thing, to penalize somebody for the game. But how do you penalize them for a game that hasn’t been played yet? It’s very unfair. You can’t do that.’

Trump insisted he didn’t force Infantino to make Balogun available.

‘I didn’t say “you have to do this”. Gianni is a smart, tough man and his stock is going through the roof,’ Trump said.

‘I didn’t know what the hell a red card was. When I found out I said “you gotta be kidding”. I said “wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible”. But then I lookd at his past and it wasn’t so great.

‘I didn’t tell him (Infantino) what to do, I can’t tell him what to do.’

Ironically, Balogun qualifies to play for the United States due to ‘birthright citizenship’ – a rule Trump has wanted to overturn. 

His heavily pregnant mother was stopped from boarding a flight out of the United States when she was heavily pregnant and Balogun was then born in Brooklyn, New York. 

After FIFA kicked back Balogun’s ban on Sunday, Trump, who was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by Infantino last year, wrote on Truth Social: ‘Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’ 

Infantino was sat next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick during the game in the San Francisco Bay where Balogun was sent off.

The United States are trying to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 by beating Belgium, with many considering Monday night’s game the biggest ever in US soccer. 

Trump is not expected to attend. Despite going to multiple major US sporting events since beginning his second term as President, he has not made it to a World Cup game yet. 

He is, however, set to attend the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium with Infantino saying recently that he and Trump will hand the trophy over to the winner ‘together’.

Infantino, speaking to Fox before Trump’s call about Balogun’s red card, said: ‘We will be together with the president enjoying ​the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together.’

CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor JB Pritzker is poised to enact a groundbreaking piece of legislation concerning artificial intelligence on Monday.

This development follows the passage of Senate Bill 315, known as the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, by Illinois lawmakers in May.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The legislation draws inspiration from similar laws introduced in New York and California in 2025, aiming to establish a uniform standard at a national scale, addressing what lawmakers believe is a current gap at the federal level.

Targeting only the most advanced AI models from the largest tech companies, the bill focuses on those with at least $500 million in revenue and significant computing capabilities. Giants like OpenAI and Anthropic have backed the bill from the start, resulting in an overwhelming 110-0 approval in the House.

Under this new regulation, developers are mandated to create publicly accessible transparency frameworks. These frameworks must outline how companies adhere to industry standards, evaluate model performance and potential catastrophic risks, and address any safety incidents that occur.

Developers would also be required to employ third-party auditors to ensure compliance with the framework, a provision that is still a point of contention for some industry stakeholders, including TechNet, a coalition of tech executives across the industry.

The Illinois attorney general would have exclusive authority to enforce civil penalties up to $3 million per violation.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, a nonpartisan news service covering state government, contributed to this report.

Rinse, recall, repeat.

A high-end shampoo company is pulling two of its products from the shelves due to worries that the luxury lather might harbor a potentially hazardous bacterium.

Kao USA, the parent company behind the brand Oribe, announced a voluntary recall across the nation last week.

The products were recalled after tests revealed the presence of Pluralibacter gergoviae, a bacterium capable of triggering infections that could pose significant health risks, particularly to those with weakened immune systems.

According to the recall notice, the affected products include:

• Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo 8.5 oz size (UPC 840035231242) with the lot code YR010556

The 8.5 oz size retails for $52.00 on the Oribe website, while the larger bottle sells for $166.

The product, developed in collaboration with a board-certified trichologist, is “proven to plump and densify strands for thicker, fuller, healthier-looking hair over the course of three months,” per the company’s website.

The affected products were manufactured between February 21, 2026 and February 26, 2026.

According to the recall notice, the affected products were sold nationwide in the United States and Canada at salons and other retailers.

Pluralibacter gergoviae bacteria have a reputation for contaminating cosmetics, due in part to their resistance to parabens and other preservatives.

In 2024, nearly a million units of Amika Mirrorball High Shine + Protect Antioxidant Shampoo were voluntarily recalled due to contamination by Pluralibacter gergoviae.

The infection caused by this bacterium has been linked to a slew of negative health consequences, including eye infections, respiratory diseases, urinary tract infections, and even sepsis.

A day after Kao announced the recall, the FDA posted the notice on its website, noting that while the risk of serious illness is low, it can be life-threatening to the immunocompromised.

“Though Pluralibacter gergoviae bacteria pose little medical risk to healthy people, those with certain health issues such as weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to infection by the bacteria,” the FDA reposted.

Those most vulnerable to infection include people with chronic illnesses, weakened immune systems, and/or those undergoing surgical procedures.

“We are working with the FDA to voluntarily recall the affected lots of the product in question from our warehouses,” Kao USA said in a statement. “We are also asking retail and salon partners to remove affected lots from use and/or sale and return them to us for safe disposal.”

If you purchased this product, Kao recommends that you immediately stop using it, regardless of your health status.

Customers who purchased the compromised products are advised to contact the Kao Professional Hair Technical Hotline at 800-333-2442 or email oribecomplaints@kao.com for a replacement.

Oribe counts many a celebrity among its fanbase, including Martha Stewart.

Last month, the octogenarian and OG influencer posted a selfie from a Milan hair salon with bottles of the brand’s Bright Blonde collection visible in the background

“I love Oribe shampoo and conditioner,” she wrote in the comments. “Keeps my blond blond and my hair extra thick and healthy.”

Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham once told Into the Gloss she uses Oribe’s Signature Shampoo and Conditioner on her famous brunette hair. (“They smell incredible,” she raved.)

Meghan Markle also used the brand’s Dry Texturizing Spray on the set of “Suits.”

“There is nothing like a hair flip,” she raved in an interview with Birchbox at the time. “When my hair is feeling a little weighted, Suanne, my hair artist on set, has me bend forward and she sprays a little Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.”

Meanwhile, “RHORI” star Alicia Carmody — a trained hairstylist — recently told Page Six the brand’s Royal Blowout Spray was a matter of vital import, mainly, or mane-ly as it were, that she would “die without” it.

Carole and Pippa Middleton, the iconic mother-daughter pair, showcased their effortless chic style as they made their entrance at Wimbledon today.

Pippa, the sister of the Princess of Wales, carried a straw hat to ward off the summer sun, while donning a £278 Reformation Naira Dress in a charming ‘dolly dot’ print.

Completing her sophisticated summer ensemble, 42-year-old Pippa accessorized with fashionable sunglasses and eye-catching white heels as she stepped into the tennis arena for the eighth day of the championship.

Carole exuded elegance in a striking white dress paired with a blue blazer, accompanied by a stylish brown bag and white heels to perfect her look.

Arriving at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London this morning, the mother and sister of the future Queen were set to enjoy a thrilling day of tennis excitement.

Both Pippa and Carole have been documented to be lifelong tennis enthusiasts, and are regular fixtures at the Wimbledon Championships. 

They were among several star-studded guests at today’s sporting event, including eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and actor James Norton, who opted for a grey blazer and burgundy tie. 

Pippa has also struck up a high-profile close friendship with Roger Federer, who was a guest at her 2017 wedding to James Matthews. Over the years, the pair have been spotted enjoying several dinners with Carole. 

Carole and Pippa’s first appearance at SW19 comes just a few days after the Princess of Wales ditched the Royal Box to take in the action on Court Number One.

The royal tennis superfan was seen gasping and putting her hands over her face during a tense match on Thursday.

The Princess – who is a keen player herself and often hands the trophy to the winner at the end of the tournament – was joined by tennis royalty in SW19, sitting next to the likes of Sir Andy Murray and Tim Henman on a glorious summer day.

A tennis aficionado, Kate’s search for the most exciting matches at the All England Club took her to Court Number One and Court 18 as she broke with tradition and avoided the prime seats on Centre Court.

Earlier she smiled as she chatted to members of the public who had joined the queue for Wimbledon tickets in the early hours of the morning.

She also helped hand out grounds passes to tennis fans, some of whom had camped overnight in Wimbledon Park to secure coveted access to the tournament.

Kate posed for selfies with members of the public, affectionately putting her arm around one woman who was holding her phone in one hand and her queue card in the other.

She was also overheard telling two attendees ‘have a really fun time’ as she handed them their tickets.

The Princess greeted those who had been waiting for entry into SW19 and hailed the queue as an ‘accessible’ entry point.

Speaking to two excited children, Kate asked them if they were big tennis fans, to which they smiled and nodded.

One attendee congratulated the princess on her recent Three Peaks challenge.

Kate donned an elegant blue linen suit from Gabriela Hearst for the occasion, which she paired with a white top from H&M and Ralph Lauren sunglasses.

She wore her hair in a pony tail and finished off the outfit with a pair of moonstone and lapis ‘Stella’ drop earrings from Carousel Jewels with an oval royal-blue gemstone.

In a break from tradition, Kate did not sit in the Royal Box but watched one of the matches on the outside courts alongside former British number one Tim Henman

As a royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, Kate is a regular fixture at the prestigious tournament.

She has attended most years since 2011, missing only 2013, when she was pregnant with Prince George, and 2020, when the tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The View,” ABC’s renowned daytime talk show, recently turned down a request from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to feature two democratic socialist congressional candidates. This move comes as the Disney-owned network becomes increasingly cautious amid a critical FCC investigation into its political guest selections, a report reveals.

Mayor Mamdani’s representatives proposed an appearance on “The View” that included him alongside Democratic congressional hopefuls Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez. However, the show expressed its inability to accommodate the candidates, citing the necessity to tread carefully during the FCC’s active equal-time review, as reported by Semafor.

These recent events highlight the growing tension between “The View” and the political allies of Mayor Mamdani. The discord marks a shift in what has become an increasingly complex relationship.

Allegedly, some supporters of the mayor have become frustrated with the program’s coverage of political issues, particularly remarks made by co-host Sara Haines regarding Darializa Avila Chevalier, according to Semafor.

In a recent episode, co-host Sara Haines remarked about Avila Chevalier, saying, “I’m gonna full-blown call her an antisemite. She would proudly call herself that, trust me.” Her comments have sparked controversy and added to the existing tensions.

According to Semafor, one of Mamdani’s aides later expressed frustration to ABC executives, warning that Haines’ remarks could affect whether the mayor and other democratic socialist candidates agree to appear on the program in the future.

Avila Chevalier, the virulently anti-Israel candidate who has expressed support for abolishing prisons, unseated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat in Manhattan’s 13th Congressional District, while Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez captured the Democratic nomination in the open 7th District.

The reported decision indicates that the probe launched by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is already influencing programming at one of television’s most prominent political venues — even though the agency has yet to take formal enforcement action against ABC over “The View.”

Last week, The Post reported that a conservative media watchdog was pressuring the FCC not to renew ABC’s licenses due to what it considered partisan bias.

Once a must-stop campaign venue for politicians ranging from President Trump to Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Kamala Harris, “The View” has not hosted a candidate running in a competitive midterm race since Carr announced the FCC inquiry in February, according to Semafor.

The show continues to book politicians who are not facing contested races, including Vice President JD Vance and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Murphy appeared on the May 26 program to plug his new book while Vance was a guest on the June 16 episode.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), who is up for reelection this year but did not face a primary challenger, also appeared on the program in March.

The FCC inquiry stems from “The View’s” Feb. 2 interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.

Carr has argued the appearance may have triggered the federal equal-time rule, which generally requires broadcast stations to provide comparable opportunities to rival candidates for the same office.

ABC has pushed back forcefully, arguing that “The View” has been recognized by the FCC for more than two decades as a bona fide news interview program that is exempt from the equal-time requirement. In a petition filed with the agency, the network said the inquiry “threaten[s] to upend decades of settled law and practice and chill critical protected speech.”

The FCC has opened a public-comment proceeding but has yet to issue a final ruling or any public enforcement order against the daytime talk show.

The Post has sought comment from ABC, Mamdani, Avila Chevalier, Valdez and the FCC.