Jutta Leerdam catches Trump's eye: 'An absolute champion' – and it's all thanks to Jake Paul
She's been a star on the ice for years, but lately, all anyone's talking about is this: Jutta Leerdam has caught the eye of Donald Trump. The former US president recently called her an "absolute champion" – which is high praise from a guy not easily impressed by international athletes. But then again, Jutta's no ordinary speed skater.
Trump shared his thoughts during a chat about her fiancé: the infamous boxer and influencer Jake Paul. Trump made it clear he'd fully back Jake Paul if he ever decided to get into politics. And as if that wasn't enough, he added in the same breath that he's seriously impressed with Jutta too. "A beautiful woman and an incredible athlete," he reportedly said. The clip has since gone viral, and not just in the US.
From the ice rink to the White House?
In case you're not familiar with Jutta Leerdam yet: the 25-year-old from South Holland is a multiple world sprint champion and snagged silver in the 1000 metres at the Beijing Olympics. But her fame now stretches way beyond the skating world. With millions of followers on Instagram, she's one of the most influential athletes in the Netherlands. And ever since she started dating Jake Paul, she's become a familiar face in the US too.
- Olympic silver in the 1000m (2022)
- World Sprint Champion (2022, 2023)
- Dutch record holder 1000m (1:13.08)
- Multiple World Cup victories in the 500m and 1000m
Sure, her fiancé Jake Paul might be a polarising figure – known for his YouTube stunts and boxing matches against retired UFC fighters – but Jutta herself steers clear of controversy. She'd rather pose on the red carpet than dive into political debates. Yet, through Jake, she's somehow unintentionally landed herself in the thick of American power circles. Because with Trump backing Jake, Jutta's automatically getting a slice of the Washington spotlight too.
What does this say about Jutta's star power?
Having a former US president know your name and sing your praises? That's huge. Back home in the Netherlands, we've always been proud of her, but this kind of international recognition lifts her status to a whole new level. She's increasingly mingling with celebrities, influencers, and now, political heavyweights. Will she ever visit the White House herself? Maybe – as the first lady of a boxer who wants to be president. For now, Jutta's keeping her cool: her focus is on skating, and everything else is a bonus.
One thing's for sure: Jutta Leerdam is a permanent fixture on the international stage. And whether she's on the ice or in the company of Donald Trump – she handles it all with the same class.