President Trump Dashes the Dreams of Child Volleyball Player: ‘Soccer Might Be Better’

President Donald Trump delivered a harsh reality to a young volleyball player during an Oval Office visit on Tuesday, May 5.

The girl joined other children, cabinet members and professional athletes as the President announced the revival of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test. The surprising conversation began when Trump, 79, asked the child what sports she plays.

“I play volleyball, and in the summer, I’m trying to get into soccer,” she responded, according to video that spread on social media.

“Wow, and with your height, do you smash the ball, the volleyball?” Trump asked, to which the girl replied, “No.”

“Can you jump high?” he continued.

“Not very,” she said.

“Soccer might be better,” Trump responded, drawing a laugh from the others in the room.

Trump softened the blow by talking up the young girl’s soccer potential.

“I’m just looking at her. She’d be a great soccer player,” he insisted before turning back to her and saying, “That’s good. Good luck, OK?”

Always eager to talk about his own playing days, Trump also offered an update on his current athletic abilities, joking, “I work out so much. Like, about one minute a day, max. If I’m lucky.”

Trump offered more quips to the group, including asking one kid if he thought he could take the President in a fight.

Trump also told the kids he expects them to be better athletes than the pros in the room, which included golfer Bryson DeChambeau and former New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard.

“I want to go out and watch these great athletes. I’m not talking about him, and him, and him. I’m talking about these kids,” the President said. “Because I think you’re going to be far better as an athlete than anybody behind you, okay? Do you agree? I think that you’re gonna be a better athlete. What sport do you play?”

The day was ultimately about the reintroduction of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, which was phased out during former President Barack Obama’s administration.

“We’re bringing it back,” Trump said on Tuesday. “My administration is working very hard to defend America’s cherished athletic traditions and pass our values of excellence and competitiveness to the next generation.”

The test will be made mandatory for all students at the 161 schools located on U.S. military installations, with other schools encouraged to follow, defense secretary Pete Hegseth said during the event.

“We need young, strong, healthy Americans, whether you serve in the military or any other aspect of your life,” he said. “The idea that competition is bad is the beginning of decline of a nation.”