President Trump doubled down on his comments blasting the NFL and “other leagues” on Saturday, saying players should “find something else to do” if they cannot stand during the national anthem.
“If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!” Trump wrote on Twitter.
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Trump continued his war of words with sports players after stirring backlash on Friday by blasting NFL player Colin Kaepernick and other players who kneeled during the national anthem at games.
Critics have argued that Trump was unfairly targeting players who have tried to draw attention to the treatment of people of color in America.
“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b—- off the field right now. He is fired,'” Trump said in Alabama.
The president further escalated his feuding with professional athletes on Saturday morning, announcing he was disinviting Golden State Warrior player Stephen Curry from the White House.
“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” Trump tweeted. “Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
Curry had said that he didn’t want to visit the White House, which is a tradition for NBA championship teams. The team is reportedly mulling a visit after winning the championship earlier this year.
The president’s comments have earned him intense backlash from the NBA and NFL communities.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Saturday issued a statement condemning Trump’s “divisive” rhetoric, while Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James lashed out Trump, calling him a “bum.”