Trump Snaps & Wildly Attacks Womens Soccer Player Who Refused W.H. Visit

June 26, 2019

1922

For many women, the U.S. National Women’s soccer team has proven a source of inspiration through means like the advocacy they’ve now taken to court in favor of women getting paid at the same level as men. For President Donald Trump, they’re another target to whine and sling rhetorical mud at on Twitter. He was obviously offended by the recent commentary from team co-captain Megan Rapinoe against the idea of visiting the White House in the event they win the Women’s World Cup in which they’re currently competing, and he made his petulant outrage abundantly clear this Wednesday. He tried to paint Rapinoe as some kind of anti-American figure, proving perpetually unable and/or unwilling to resist turning even the slightest criticism into a flashpoint for his precious imaginary culture war.

Trump whined:

‘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… 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.’

So many parts of that are amazing in the worst way. To be clear, Rapinoe offered no disrespect to “our Country, the White House, or our Flag.” Considering context, it’s abundantly obvious to anyone paying even the slightest attention that her derision of the idea of visiting D.C. was a criticism solely of Donald Trump, who is not some guardian of patriotism or whatever as his commentary treating criticism of himself as anti-Americanism might suggest.

How are we supposed to trust Trump to handle sensitive diplomatic negotiations with foreign powers if he can’t even handle a celebrity athlete dismissing the idea of coming to visit him?

It’s worth noting that Trump’s blanket assertion about championship teams loving to visit the White House is — surprise surprise — false. After they won the 2018 Super Bowl, Trump completely withdrew the invitation for the Philadelphia Eagles football team to visit the White House. The truth has never stopped Trump before, though, having been documented to have lied publicly more than 10,000 times and counting since taking office.