U.S. President Donald Trump joined the chorus of praise for the women’s national soccer team in the wake of their World Cup triumph on Sunday just days after a spat with the captain.
“Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!” tweeted Trump, who had exchanged barbs with player of the tournament Megan Rapinoe during the finals in France.
After Rapinoe, who led her side to victory on Sunday, told a reporter last month she would not go to the White House if the team were invited, Trump fired off a series of tweets saying: “Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!…
“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!”
He went on to promise a White House invitation to the team “win or lose.”
The United States duly claimed their fourth World Cup title with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in Lyon, with goals from Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle.
Former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton also tweeted their the congratulations to the U.S. team, along with numerous other politicians, athletes and celebrities.
But Trump’s dispute with Rapinoe has raised doubts about whether the team will get a formal White House invitation.
English-born U.S. national team coach Jill Ellis said after Sunday’s final that she wasn’t counting on it.
Should Trump disinvite them?
“I haven’t been invited (and) I wouldn’t bet on that,” she said.
It was a mark of class from President Trump, even after the way Rapinoe has attacked him every chance she has had to speak about him.
“Psssh, I’m not going to the f*****g White House,” she told the show Eighty By Eight before the reporter could finish the question.
“No. I’m not going to the White House. We’re not gonna be invited. I doubt it,” she said in the interview, CNN reported on Wednesday.
“I’m not going to the fucking White House.” – @mPinoe pic.twitter.com/sz1ADG2WdT
— Eight by Eight (@8by8mag) June 25, 2019
President Donald Trump heard the news and issued a statement of his own on Twitter that made the soccer star look extremely small.
“Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is ‘not going to the F…ing White House if we win,’” he wrote.
“Other than the NBA, which now refuses to call owners, owners (please explain that I just got Criminal Justice Reform passed.
“Black unemployment is at the lowest level in our Country’s history, and the poverty index is also best number EVER), 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!” the president said in a series of tweets on the matter on Wednesday.
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 (please explain that I just got Criminal Justice Reform passed, Black unemployment is at the lowest level…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019
Reuters contributed to this report.
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