Jutta Leerdam catches Trump's eye: 'A tremendous athlete' – and it has everything to do with Jake Paul
She's been a phenomenon on the ice for years, but lately, all anyone can talk about is this: Jutta Leerdam has also caught the attention of Donald Trump. The former U.S. president recently called her a "tremendous athlete," which is notable given he's not usually quick to praise international sports figures. But then again, Jutta is no ordinary speed skater.
The moment Trump shared his praise came during a conversation about her fiancé: the notorious boxer and influencer Jake Paul. Trump expressed his full support for Jake Paul should he ever decide to enter politics. And as if that wasn't enough, he added in the same breath that he is also deeply impressed by Jutta. "A beautiful woman and an incredible athlete," he reportedly said. The clip has since gone viral, and not just in the U.S.
From the ice rink to the White House?
For those who don't know Jutta Leerdam yet: the 25-year-old from South Holland is a multiple world sprint champion and secured silver in the 1000 meters at the Beijing Olympics. But her popularity now extends far beyond the sport of speed skating. With millions of followers on Instagram, she's one of the most influential athletes in the Netherlands. And since her relationship with Jake Paul began, she's become a familiar face in the U.S. as well.
- 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
Her fiancé Jake Paul might be a polarizing figure – known for his YouTube stunts and boxing matches against retired UFC fighters – but Jutta herself stays far away from controversy. She'd rather pose on the red carpet than get tangled up in political debates. Yet, through Jake, she seems to have unintentionally found herself near the center of American power. With Trump's backing for Jake, Jutta automatically gets a spot in the Washington spotlight too.
What does this say about Jutta's star power?
The fact that a former U.S. president knows her name and sings her praises is no small thing. In the Netherlands, we've been proud of her for a while, but this kind of international recognition elevates her status to a whole new level. She's increasingly moving in the circles of 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 is keeping her cool: her focus remains on skating, and everything else is a bonus.
One thing is for sure: Jutta Leerdam is a permanent fixture in the international spotlight. And whether she's on the ice or in the orbit of Donald Trump – she handles it with equal grace.