A St. Louis City SC fan was removed from a Major League Soccer (MLS) game after refusing to take off a red “Make America Great Again” hat. Stadium staff cited league rules against political messaging, sparking backlash and debate over selective enforcement.
The fan, Michael Weitzel, was attending a match at CityPark when security informed him that his MAGA hat violated MLS’s policy. “They’re non-political here,” one staff member told him in a widely circulated video. When Weitzel questioned the rule, citing other visible messaging like Pride flags, security responded those had been “pre-approved” by the league.
MLS’s Fan Code of Conduct bans political signs, slogans, and apparel within stadiums. The policy has faced criticism for allowing progressive themes while restricting conservative expressions. In this case, Weitzel said he wasn’t campaigning—just wearing a hat supporting President Trump.
After initially complying and removing the hat, Weitzel was still escorted from the stadium. He described the experience as political discrimination. “If you’re going to ban political content, ban it all,” he said. “Don’t pick and choose which side gets a pass.”
Neither Major League Soccer nor St. Louis City SC issued a public comment on the incident. Conservative commentators and legal analysts raised concerns over unequal enforcement. Some called for clarity on what qualifies as political messaging and why symbols like Pride or BLM are acceptable while a Trump-related hat is not.
The situation reflects a broader pattern in sports and entertainment venues where conservative views face exclusion under rules labeled as “neutral.” As the 2024 election cycle heats up, similar incidents may test how far leagues will go in regulating political expression—and which voices they silence.
