'Yammering' Trump stage performance earns him 'elderly man' brand

Donald Trump's recent appearance at a FIFA event highlights how he's a full-blown "elderly man" losing the support of his hardcore fans, an analyst wrote Monday.

The president received the FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup 2026 draw last week, but his "yammering" appearance was more important for highlighting his "obvious decline", according to Heather Digby Parton. The Salon columnist suggested Trump's power base, including that of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, is surrounding Trump with made-up medals and praise.

But even his own supporters are seeing through the cracks and believe the president is fading. Parton wrote, "Mind you, the hardcore base is sticking with Trump so far because, like their idol, they can never admit they were wrong."

"But even they are starting to feel the dissonance of hearing this feeble, elderly man yammering about peace amid daily news footage of grotesque attacks on immigrants, boat strikes and increasingly bellicose warmongering."

Trump was seen dancing to the Village People's performance of YMCA later in the ceremony, which was described as a "strange moment" by Parton given the context of what was happening outside of the John F. Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts.

She added, "As the president performed his “Trump dance” and the Village People delivered 'YMCA' at the FIFA prize event, the U.S. military struck another boat, killing four more people. The strange dissonance became even more jarring when the administration finally released its long-awaited 'National Security Strategy.'"

Trump's recent appearances had him lash out at audiences and quoting Rocky Balboa. An appearance last night at the Kennedy Honors heard Trump take aim at "miserable, horrible people".

The president said, "Some of them have had legendary setbacks, setbacks that you have to read in the papers because of their level of fame. But in the words of Rocky Balboa, they showed us that you keep moving forward, just keep moving forward."

"I know so many of you are persistent. Many of you are miserable, horrible people. You are persistent. You never give up. Sometimes I wish you’d give up, but you don’t." Trump would claim he had not prepared very much for the Kennedy Center Honors appearance.

He said, "I have a good memory, so I can remember things, which is very fortunate. But just, I wanted to just be myself. You have to be yourself."