Trump butchered the pronounciation of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s name
Looks like the president couldn’t quite figure out Tua Tagovailoa’s name.
Just seconds after expressing his admiration of the Miami Dolphins quarterback, President Donald Trump stumbled over his name, calling him Tua “Tag – O – val – ia.”
“Tua Tagovaila, the quarterback who is really — he’s been fantastic,” Trump said Thursday. “He’s been — when he’s not injured he’s great. He’s got to stay healthy.”
This came during a press conference in which Trump signed an executive order that expanded the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, “a federal advisory committee that aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity for all people, regardless of background or ability,” according to its website. The order also reinstated the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools.
Tagovailoa is apparently a member of the council, according to Trump. He will join a host of other athletes including Saquon Barkley, Harrison Butker, Lawrence Taylor and Nick Bosa. The council, per Trump, is tasked with “finding necessary solutions to a sustainable future for all college athletes.”
“We believe we can change the fabric of our communities and kids’ livelihoods for future generations to come,” said pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau, a member of the council.
With Tagovailoa likely going to be around Trump a lot more in the near future, the president could stand to learn how to pronounce the franchise quarterback’s name.
This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM.
