U.S. women's soccer team still mum on Trump's White House invitation

With the United States women's soccer team making its return flight to New York on Monday, it remains to be seen if the 2019 World Cup champions will accept President Donald Trump's invitation to the White House.

Trump initially extended the offer during a June Twitter tirade aimed at U.S. captain Megan Rapinoe, who had previously told Eight by Eight magazine that she would not visit 'the f***ing White House' because of her objection to him.

On Sunday, Trump was asked by reporters about a potential meeting, and seemed to walk back his invitation: 'We haven't really thought about it. We'll look at that.' 

Rapinoe's teammate Ali Krieger also recently announced she will not be going to the White House, while forward Alex Morgan told reporters that the team would make a decision as a group – but cautioned 'I think you guys know the answer to the question anyways.'

The team, which will be honored with a ticker tape parade in New York on Wednesday, previously visited Barack Obama's White House in 2015 after winning the World Cup in Canada.

Rapinoe's previously recorded Eight by Eight interview was released prior to the U.S. win over the Netherlands in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Because of that, Trump criticized U.S. captain's temerity for discussing a White House visit before the World Cup had been won.

'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...' he wrote.

'... invited Megan or the team,' the next tweet began, '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!' 

In speaking with CNN on Thursday, Krieger explained she was defending her teammate, Rapinoe, from Trump.

'I refuse to respect a man that warrants no respect,' Krieger told CNN.

'I feel that staying silent at times can side with the oppressor and I didn't want her to feel like she was having to process this all alone, because a lot of us do have those similar feelings,' said Krieger, a defender who has already won one World Cup with the U.S. in 2015.

'I refuse to just sit back and watch an abuser, a bully talk like that to my friend and I support her as a friend and I wanted to make sure that I said something that meant something to me and was important to me and that's why I did what I did'

Rapinoe, an openly-gay LGBTQ advocate who has been critical of Trump and his social policies, has steadfastly refused to sing the national anthem or put her hand over her heart before World Cup games.

She previously knelt during the anthem in 2016, becoming one of the first white athletes to do so in solidarity with equal rights advocate and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick – someone Trump has criticized extensively.

The U.S. Soccer Federation responded by creating a rule demanding that players stand for the anthem, and Rapinoe has complied. 

Rapinoe has accepted an invitation to meet congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), but Trump should not expect any similar individual arrangements. 

Asked last week if she could imagine a situation where some players attended while others stayed away, Morgan said that was unlikely.

'I can't say 100 percent but this team is very close and we have always made decisions together so I can't really see us deciding to part in that way but at the same time if someone feels strongly then who are we to tell them to do or not do something,' she said.

An invitation from the president to celebrate at the White House is regularly offered to successful American sports teams and individuals, such as Olympic gold medalists.

Now those customary visits have become highly politicized since Trump took office.

Recently Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora opted against visiting Trump's White House, citing the tremendous need for redevelopment following devastating hurricanes in his native Puerto Rico.

He was joined in that decision by reigning MVP Mookie Betts and fellow Red Sox players Jackie Bradley Jr., Rafael Devers, David Price, Christian Vazquez and Hector Velazquez.

Other recent champions like the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia Eagles have balked at the customary visit to the White House, or were disinvited, depending on one's perspective.

Several players on the Warriors said they would not go to the White House after winning the NBA title in 2017, so Trump rescinded the invitation for the entire team.

The White House also canceled a planned visit for the Philadelphia Eagles in June of 2018; and during the 2018 NBA Finals, Trump preemptively disinvited by the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but only after LeBron James declared publicly that nobody from either team would be visiting 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Recently Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby became the latest major North American sports star to reject an invitation to the Trump White House.

Holtby was asked if his support of the LGBT community factored into his decision to 'respectfully decline' the offer, as he put it. The 29-year Saskatchewan native has marched in several pride parades in the Washington area.

'It's one of the factors,' he told reporters. 'But my family, myself, we believe in a world where humans are treated with respect regardless of your stature or what you're born into. That's just where it's at with this decision. You're asked to choose what side you're on, and it's pretty clear what side I'm on. I believe this is the right decision for myself and my family.'

Trump drew criticism from human rights groups after banning transgender people from the military in 2017.

Recently Trump's Department of Health and Human Services proposed eliminating an Obama-era policy that prohibited health care providers and homeless shelters from discriminating against transgender patients.

Not everyone has balked at the chance to visit Trump's White House.

He honored Tiger Woods for his recent Masters victory, and welcomed NASCAR champion Joey Logano and team owner Roger Penske to the White House in April.

'They're winners, right,' said Trump. 'The team is a winner and NASCAR is a winner.'

And prior to the visit from Logano, Trump also welcomed national champion Baylor women's basketball team to the White House.

The Lady Bears were actually the first women's basketball team to visit Trump's White House.

Trump was given a jersey with his name emblazoned on the back.

'You know, I love those short sleeves. Such beautiful arms. Great definition,' Trump said as he stroked his upper arm.

And as he did with the national champion Clemson football team, Trump's White House provided fast food for the visiting athletes. 

Source: Daily Mail

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