Trump says it's not appropriate for Megan Rapinoe to protest during national anthem
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
President Trump on Monday said he does not think it's appropriate for Megan Rapinoe, a co-captain of the U.S. women's soccer team, to protest during the national anthem.
"No. I don’t think so," Trump said in an exclusive interview with The Hill when asked about Rapinoe's actions.
Rapinoe has previously knelt during “The Star-Spangled Banner." During this year's Women's World Cup, she has abstained from singing along during pregame ceremonies. Rapinoe, who is gay, has referred to herself as a "walking protest."
Trump, who has suggested NFL players who protest during the anthem shouldn't be in the country, disagreed with Rapinoe's actions but offered praise for the women's national team.
"I love watching women's soccer," he said in the Oval Office. "They’re really talented."
The women's national team advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup with a victory over Spain on Monday afternoon.
Trump declined to take a position on whether women's soccer players should receive equal pay as men, saying he would have to look more closely at the issue.
"I think a lot of it also has to do with the economics," Trump said. "I mean who draws more, where is the money coming in. I know that when you have the great stars like [Portugal’s Cristiano] Ronaldo and some of these stars … that get paid a lot of money, but they draw hundreds of thousands of people."
"But I haven’t taken a position on that at all," he added. "I’d have to look at it."
All 28 members of the U.S. women's team filed a lawsuit in March against the U.S. Soccer Federation alleging discrimination in pay and resources based on gender. The women's team won the 2015 and 1999 World Cups, while the men have never won a World Cup title.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said earlier this month that she supports equal pay for equal work, but cautioned against politicizing the issue.
Numerous Democrats, including several 2020 presidential candidates, have voiced support for the team's push for equal pay
Just pay the lady US soccer players the same as the men are paid. It's not like there's a thousand of them.
And the idea that it is "not appropriate" to stay silent during the national anthem? WTF ? Are we in a totalitarian state? Since when is remaining silent not appropriate?
Of course these women should receive equal pay.
She's very good at what she does, so why play the drama queen about the Anthem?
I guess she wants someone to show her the money.
I doubt being silent will get it for her, but to each her own.
Kaepernick was shown the door.
Kaepernick wasn't putting points on the board.
All in spite of 3 ACL injuries in 2006,2007 and 2015.
Very impressive comebacks.
Goal Olimpico. Scoring unassisted from a corner kick.
When they draw in the same TV money and attendance numbers that the men do at the professional level; then you can talk about equal pay on a level playing field. This is a business after all.
Trump, just like the soccer player protesting, is entitled to their opinion. He is free to voice his, just like she is free to voice hers. We are all free to agree or disagree with one or both.
OK, I stand corrected. This is about pay at the National level on the world stage where the US women out pace the men for TV ratings and attendance. Not US professional soccer.
I have no problem with paying the women's national team the same as the men's. While in the US the women are more popular than the men; on the world stage it is different. Not sure women's soccer will be ever as popular as men's; which is why the take prize money and take home pay is so different.
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Just how young are you Muva? (friendly smirk)
These women would probably beat the men. Maybe they should swap salaries.
Shouldn't Trump stop giving a crap about sports and what athletes are doing, and get back to trying to start WWIII via Twitter?
Must have happened the same time when someone's opinion isn't allowed to be expressed if it disagrees with anyone protesting against the US.
No...pay them commensurate with the revenues they drive. If the men's team makes more money, the men should get paid more. If the women's team makes more money, they should get paid more.
It's very simple. There is no "equal work" in the entertainment business.
I think he's talking about her taking a knee.
I don't think I'm ever going to be ok with people protesting during the national anthem, but it's a free country and I wouldn't advocate force to stop her. I reserve the right to find her actions inappropriate, though.
Normally, I would say that sports is entertainment and you get paid based on the income you generate. However, these teams represent the United States, and as such, I think they should be paid the same. This is not the same thing as the Lakers and the Sparks.
I think I'm more respectful of the Stars and Stripes and American national anthem than a lot of Americans are, but then I consider them to be symbolic of your country, not the temporary government that governs it. I recall an expression that was common at one time - "Love it or leave it." I'll add to that - "Don't forget to lock the door on your way out."
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All I see is another overindulged disrespectful little shit of a athlete looking for an extra 15 minutes of fame!
You said that on my seed about her not going to the White House.
Redundant much?
Nope, just still relevant.
I think Rapinhoe's choice of WHERE and WHEN she is staging her protests is a little off.
I fully support her right to do it, just don't like the timing of it.
I feel if you wear the US uniform and are representing your country, you should be much more respectful while doing so.