President Donald Trump told U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe to “never disrespect our country” on June 26 after the co-captain said she would not visit the White House if her team wins the World Cup.
In a recent interview with Eight By Eight Magazine, Rapinoe was asked whether she was excited to go to the White House, assuming that her team would win the World Cup.
Following Rapinoe’s remarks in her recent interview, Trump took the opportunity to admonish the soccer star for conduct that he believes disrespects the White House, the flag, and the country.
He then extended an invitation to the U.S. women’s soccer team to visit the White House regardless of whether the team brings back the World Cup.
“We haven’t yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose,” he said. “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!”
“No. I don’t think so,” Trump responded.
“Using this blanketed patriotism as a defense against what the protest actually is was pretty cowardly. I think the NFL does it. I felt like the statement from U.S. Soccer, and then the rule they made without ever talking to me, that was the same as what the NFL was doing—just to not have the conversation, to try to just stop me from doing what I’m doing instead of at least having a conversation, and trying to figure out a [solution] that makes sense for everyone,” she told the news website.
“I’ll probably never put my hand over my heart. I’ll probably never sing the national anthem again,” she also said during the interview.She gave her reasoning: “Because I’m as talented as I am, I get to be here, you don’t get to tell me if I can be here or not. So it’s kind of a good [expletive] you to any sort of inequality or bad sentiments that the [Trump] administration might have toward people who don’t look exactly like him.”