U.S. women's soccer team captain Megan Rapinoe doubles down on her refusal to visit the Trump White House following a potential World Cup win - BUT apologizes for saying 'f***ing' because her 'mom will be very upset'
- Megan Rapinoe apologized Thursday for using coarse language in saying she would not visit the White House if the United States wins the Women's World Cup
- Besides cursing, the U.S. captain doubled down on the rest of the statement
- In a recently published interview with Eight by Eight, Rapinoe told a reporter she wasn't 'going to the f***ing White House' over her objections to Trump
- Trump tweeted his response, writing that 'Megan should never disrespect our Country...or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team'
- U.S. coach Jill Ellis doesn't think the controversy over the comments is a distraction for the team, which is preparing for a quarterfinal match with France
- Earlier in the week, Trump had also told The Hill that it wasn't appropriate for Rapinoe's refusal to sing the national anthem
- Rapinoe previously knelt during the anthem in 2016 in solidarity with ex-49ers QB Colin Kaepernick, who did it before NFL games to protest racism
Megan Rapinoe apologized Thursday for using coarse language in saying she would not visit the White House if the United States wins the Women's World Cup, but outside of the word 'f***ing,' the American captain doubled down on the statement.
'I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House with exception of the expletive,' she told reporters ahead of Friday's quarterfinals meeting with the host country, France. 'My mom will be very upset about that.'
In a recently published interview with Eight by Eight magazine, Rapinoe told a reporter she was 'not going to the f***ing White House' over her objections to President Donald Trump and is administration.
Megan Rapinoe apologized Thursday for using coarse language in saying she would not visit the White House if the United States wins the Women's World Cup, but outside of using the word 'f***ing,' the American captain doubled down on the statement
Share this article
'Considering how much time and effort and pride we take in the platform we have, using it for good and leaving the game in a better place and hopefully the world in a better place, I don't think I would want to go,' Rapinoe said Thursday.
'I would encourage my team-mates to think hard about lending that platform or having that co-opted by an administration that doesn't feel the same way and doesn't fight for the same things we fight for.'
Since the start of the Women's World Cup in France, Rapinoe (left) has declined to sign the anthem or place her hand on her heart - a decision that has drawn criticism from Trump
Trump called out the U.S. women's national team star on social media Wednesday, although he initially directed the message to the wrong Twitter account: 'Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team.'
Trump said he would invite the U.S. team 'win or lose.'
Earlier in the week, Trump had also told The Hill that it wasn't appropriate for Rapinoe to protest during the national anthem.
Rapinoe's initial comments were made during an interview for a magazine in January in which she was asked if she was excited about the prospect of going to the White House. In a video excerpt of the interview posted Tuesday, she can be seen using profanity when she says she's not going.
She also expressed doubts the team would be invited.
In a tweet initially directed at the wrong Megan Rapinoe, President Donald Trump responded to the U.S. national women's soccer team captain's recent assertion that she is 'not going to the f***ing White House' if the team wins the ongoing World Cup in France
Although Trump's initial tweet was deleted, he did continue along that thread, taking credit for improving the economy voicing his support for the U.S. team. He even wrote that he would invite U.S women's national team to the White House, win or lose, but that Rapinoe 'should WIN first before she TALKS!'
Rapinoe has maintained she would not visit the Trump White House, most recently in an interview with Eight by Eight magazine. 'I'm not going to the f*****g White House,' said Rapinoe, who was recently criticized by Trump for her refusal to sing the national anthem with her teammates before games. Rapinoe, who is a lesbian, is one of the most outspoken athletes representing America and has described herself as a 'walking protest' to Trump's policies. She was the first national team member of any sport to kneel in support of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick – a frequent target of Trumps since he began protesting inequality by kneeling during the 'Star Spangled Banner' until he fell out of the league in March of 2017
Rapino, in solidarity with Rapinoe, responded directly to Trump
U.S. coach Jill Ellis said she didn't feel the controversy over the comments would be a distraction for the team, which is preparing for its biggest test in France.
'I think this team has a remarkable focus,' Ellis said. 'We all support Megan.'
Rapinoe started kneeling during the anthem in 2016 to show solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who did it before NFL games to protest social and racial injustice. But the United States Soccer Federation then adopted a policy that requires players to stand.
U.S. coach Jill Ellis said she didn't feel the controversy over the comments would be a distraction for the team, which is preparing for its biggest test in France. 'I think this team has a remarkable focus,' Ellis said. 'We all support Megan'
Now she stands, but she has been criticized for not singing and putting her hand over her heart like other players.
Rapinoe, who is gay, has also frequently spoken out about politics and has criticized the Trump administration and its policies in the past.
'Considering how much time and effort and pride we take in the platform that we have, in using it for good and for leaving the game in a better - and hopefully the world in a better place - I don't think that I would want to go,' she said Thursday, 'and I would encourage my teammates to think hard about lending that platform or having that co-opted by an administration that doesn't feel the same way, doesn't fight for the same things that we fight for.'
Teammate Ali Krieger tweeted in support of Rapinoe, saying that she, too, would skip a White House visit.
'I don't support this administration nor their fight against LGBTQ+ citizens, immigrants & our most vulnerable,' Krieger posted.
Alex Morgan told Time Magazine last month that she would not visit the White House if the U.S. team was invited.
'I don't stand for a lot of things the current office stands for,' Morgan said, pointing particularly to the family separation policy at the southern border.
Megan Rapinoe (second from left) kneels during the playing of the anthem before a match against Thailand in 2016 at MAPFRE Stadium in Ohio. In response, the United States Soccer Federation created a rule requiring players to stand 'respectfully' during the anthem
In 2016, Rapinoe became the first white athlete to take a knee during a pre-game national anthem performance in solidarity with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick (seen center alongside Eli Harold, left, and Eric Reid, right, during a game in Santa Clara, California in 2016)
