U.S. soccer team captain Megan Rapinoe made some waves off the field yesterday (June 25, 2019) when an excerpt from an interview with soccer magazine 8 by 8 went viral on Twitter. In the exchange, Rapinoe was asked if she was excited at the prospect of the U.S. team visiting the home of Donald Trump should it win the FIFA World Cup Championship. Without hesitation, Rapinoe responded, “I’m not going to the fucking White House. No, not going to the White House. We’re not going to be invited.”
Clearly miffed, Trump responded on Twitter where he wrote, “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!”
Insuring that his followers would fill her mentions with vitriol, Trump also made sure to tag her in the first post. Quoting her interview, he wrote, Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is “not going to the F…ing White House if we win.”
According to the NY Times, Rapinoe has long been up front about her distaste for the president and was one of the few white players who joined ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem in a protest against police brutality.
Meanwhile, the women’s soccer team continues to tear through opponents in the FIFA World Cup and will next face France in a quarter-final game on June 28, 2019 at 3:00 PM EST.
Check out Rapinoe’s interview and Trumps’ response below.