Jeff Ihaza
Contact Jeff Ihaza by Email View all posts by Jeff Ihaza July 20, 2026
Madonna was onstage during the World Cup halftime show, not hanging out with Trump, despite ignorant rumors to the contrary. Alex Pantling/FIFA/Getty Images A social media post making the rounds after Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final claims that Madonna was spotted sitting in President Donald Trump’s luxury suite at MetLife Stadium.
She wasn’t.
The confusion appears to stem from a brief shot of Trump’s box during the match between Spain and Argentina. The camera caught several guests seated alongside Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, prompting users on X to insist that one of the women visible in the suite, seated behind Melania Trump, was in fact the pop icon fresh off her chart-topping new album, Confessions II.
Of course, there are a few obvious problems with that theory. One: Madonna would’ve been backstage at the time getting ready for her performance. Two: Madonna has been a very vocal critic of Trump for decades, both before and after he ran for president. Three: Come on.
(A rep for Madonna confirmed to Rolling Stone that she was not, in fact, in Trump’s World Cup suite.)
During the game, Madonna headlined the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, opening the 11-minute set with her 2000 hit “Music” before she was joined on stage by Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, Burna Boy, and others. Photos as well as video clips from the broadcast show her wearing a pink lace corset during her performance.
