Trump Takes Issue with Rapinoe's Vulgar Response to White House Question
U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe has been using the World Cup as a platform for political protest, refusing to sing the national anthem or put her hand over her heart in what she called an “F you” to President Donald Trump and his administration.
Now she has taken things further, giving a vulgar response when asked about a potential White House visit in a video tweeted Monday by Eight by Eight magazine.
“I’m not going to the f—ing White House,” Rapinoe said. “No, I’m not going to the White House. We’re not going to be invited. I doubt it.”
Megan Rapinoe: “I’m not going to the f–king White House”
?via @8by8mag pic.twitter.com/9gOyyzoWRk
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 26, 2019
The magazine’s feature on Rapinoe provided a longer quote.
“No f—ing way will we be invited to the White House,” she said. “[Trump] tries to avoid inviting a team that might decline. Or, like he did when the [NBA champion Golden State] Warriors turned him down, he’ll claim they hadn’t been invited in the first place.”
The president heard about these comments and proved her wrong Wednesday morning. He invited the U.S. women’s team to make the traditional White House champions visit, “win or lose.”
In a series of tweets, Trump said, “Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is ‘not going to the F…ing White House if we win.’ Other than the NBA, which now refuses to call owners, owners (please explain that I just got Criminal Justice Reform passed, Black unemployment is at the lowest level in our Country’s history, and the poverty index is also best number EVER), leagues and teams love coming to the White House.
“I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! We haven’t yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose.
“Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!”
Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is “not going to the F…ing White House if we win.” Other than the NBA, which now refuses to call owners, owners (please explain that I just got Criminal Justice Reform passed, Black unemployment is at the lowest level…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019
….in our Country’s history, and the poverty index is also best number EVER), leagues and teams love coming to the White House. I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! We haven’t yet….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019
….invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose. Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019
The U.S. women’s team is favored but certainly not a lock to win the World Cup this year. They squeaked out of the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Spain thanks to a controversial penalty that led to a goal.
The president said in an interview with The Hill on Monday that he doesn’t think Rapinoe’s anthem protests are appropriate but he is a fan of the U.S. women’s team.
“I love watching women’s soccer,” Trump said. “They’re really talented.”
Rapinoe started to protest during the national anthem long before the World Cup. She knelt for the anthem during a 2016 game for the Seattle Reign to show solidarity with then-San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick’s protests.
“Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties,” Rapinoe told reporters at the time.
In response, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced that players were expected to “stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played.”
Now Rapinoe is continuing to protest by refusing to sing the anthem — while issuing vulgar rejections of invitations before they’re even earned or offered.
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