It's a tradition to invite the Super Bowl champions to the White House, but yesterday Donald Trump rescinded his invite to the Philadelphia Eagles. In a statement, he said he canceled the visit because the "full team" wouldn't show up. Also, he thinks they disagree with his insistence "that they proudly stand for the National Anthem."
In 2016, Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the National Anthem as a silent protest against police brutality and racial injustice. However, Trump interprets the kneeling as disrespectful to the flag and American veterans, even though that was never the intent. At a rally, the president called the players sons of bitches, and suggested they be fired. Speaking to Fox News last week, he condemned them again, saying they "shouldn't be in the country."
It's true that some Philadelphia Eagles players have been social justice activists off the field. However, no Eagles players kneeled during the National Anthem in the 2017 season. According to Politifact, they were one of only seven NFL teams with a perfect non-kneeling record. The only display of on-screen activism came from a couple players raising their fists. The only small exception to this was cornerback Ron Brooks, who kneeled once during a pre-season game.
Despite canceling the team's visit, Trump still held an event, so Eagles fans could "celebrate America." But reporter Tim Furlong tweeted that he "counted exactly one item of clothing with an eagles logo on it." What's more, he "asked 6 of the "fans" at the White House who was the Eagles quarterback during the super bowl. Not ONE person knew." (So, it's an Eagles celebration without any Eagles players or Eagles fans? Got it.)
One Twitter user observed that the crowd looked more like lobbyists than football fans.
But the best moment was when President Trump tried to sing "God Bless America," and forgot the words.
It's pretty hypocritical, considering how much he attacks NFL players for being "unpatriotic."
If Obama forgot the words, Fox News would probably call for his impeachment.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’”
But hey, we all forget the lyrics to some songs.
He got all the important words!
I mean, at least he didn't say "God Bless Russia."
Maybe the song needs a rewrite.
This transcript is very detailed.
This conversation could have happened.
It is Mueller time yet?
The Daily Show tweeted a karaoke version, if you'd like to sing along with the President.
But guess what else happened at the "Celebration of America" event? One brave man in the audience took a knee when they played the National Anthem. There's no word on who the guy is, but one Twitter user said he left immediately and didn't want to talk. Good idea! Hopefully he escaped safely and was not thrown in Guantanamo Bay.
Well, Eagles players, do you see what a fun event you missed? You too could have badly lip synched to "God Bless America." Bet you're suffering from serious FOMO.
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