He had a penchant for sports stadiums that bore his name and trophies that boosted his populist political project.

And in the summer of 1934, fascist fortunes aligned when Benito Mussolini — ‘Il Duce’ to his people and to history — presented the clunky, waist-high Coppa del Duce to his World Cup-winning, straight-arm saluting Italian side.

Soccer, for Mussolini, was part of a careful propaganda play to make Italy great again. It’s important to keep that in mind when U.S. President Donald Trump hosts the draw for the 2026 tournament Dec. 5 at Washington’s Kennedy Center.

He will be appearing at a performing arts venue he targeted and took over for its staging of drag shows, there to promote a global sports event that is succumbing to his unique and irresistible charm offensive, or

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