President Donald Trump faced questions about his hoarse voice during an Oval Office press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and cabinet officials. He said the voice came from a heated session on trade negotiations and a partner trying to change terms.

Donald Trump said, “I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade and a country, and I straightened it out, but I blew my stack at these people.”

Pressed on which country pushed to reopen a deal, he gave a firm answer without naming names. The point was leverage, not headlines. He made clear he shut it down fast.

Donald Trump said, “a country wanted to try and renegotiate the terms of their trade deal and I wasn’t happy about it.”

Reporters tried again for a name. He did not blink. He turned the question aside and kept the pressure where it mattered—on results, not gossip.

Donald Trump said, “Why would I say that to you? I can’t believe it.”

Then he moved to business. With the World Cup coming to the United States next summer, the administration rolled out a tool to help real fans enter the country while keeping vetting tight. It’s called the FIFA Prioritized Appointment Scheduling System, or PASS.

Donald Trump said, “Secretary Rubio’s team at the State Department has worked tirelessly with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that soccer fans from all around the world are properly vetted and able to come to the United States next summer easily,”

He explained how the system will work. Ticketed fans facing long waits can opt for a prioritized interview tied to their World Cup attendance. The promise: faster appointments without lowering the bar on security.

Donald Trump said, “We’re also creating what we’re calling the FIFA prioritized appointment scheduling system…and this will allow World Cup ticket holders with long wait times to opt with FIFA for a prioritized interview,”

Infantino backed the plan from the podium. He said the PASS program helps legitimate supporters make it to matches in the best possible conditions, starting with visas and ending in stadiums.

Gianni Infantino said, “And with this FIFA pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket that are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best condition, starting from getting their visa and then coming, of course, in the country to enjoy,”

Secretary Rubio emphasized that every applicant will receive full, standard vetting. He urged fans not to wait until the last minute to apply. The faster they submit, the smoother the process.

Secretary Rubio said, “Our advice to everybody is, if you have a ticket for any of the games, you need to apply, if you haven’t done so, as soon as possible. Don’t wait till the last minute,”

The trade moment and the PASS rollout showed two sides of the same approach. Be tough at the table. Be organized at the border. Reward legitimate travelers. Block the gamesmanship—whether it is a foreign capital trying to rewrite a deal or a bad actor trying to slip through the cracks.

The hoarse voice told its own story. Sometimes leverage is applied with volume. Sometimes it is applied with policy. Either way, the message was the same: commitments matter, and games are played on the field, not in back rooms.

If a country wants to test U.S. resolve on trade, it will find the answer is no. If a real fan wants to come cheer, there is now a lane to make it happen faster and safer. That is how you honor American interests while hosting the world.