UPDATE:

On Friday evening (June 29), following the U.S. Women’s soccer team’s victory over France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez invited U.S. co-captain Megan Rapinoe and her fellow teammates to the House of Representatives for a tour. “It may not be the White House, but we’d be happy to welcome @mPinoe & the entire #USWMNT for a tour of the House of Representatives anytime they’d like. ??,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

And it looks like the team is down: “Consider it done @AOC,” Rapinoe responded, adding a celebratory emoji.

Original Story

The U.S. Women’s soccer team is currently battling it out in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team just made it to the quarterfinals, but their success in the tournament wasn’t what made headlines on Wednesday (June 26); instead a social media frenzy exploded around co-captain Megan Rapinoe’s recent comments.

When asked whether she was excited to go to the White House (if the team does indeed take the tournament) by a reporter from the outlet Eight by Eight, she responded, “I’m not going to the fucking White House.” She then added, “We’re not gonna be invited…. I doubt it.”

For context, Rapinoe’s reaction is in keeping with her past political statements. She’s been an outspoken critic of President Trump and was one of the first white players to join Colin Kaepernick and other footballers in taking a knee during the national anthem back in 2016. Rapinoe is also part of her team’s discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Soccer.

Later on Wednesday morning, Trump responded to Rapinoe’s comments in a series of three tweets. “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…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!”

While Rapinoe has yet to speak out about Trump’s tweets, many others have taken to social media about his remarks. Adam Serwer, a staff writer at The Atlantic, wrote, “Trump is now going after Megan Rapinoe because the ‘f**k your feelings’ president flips out when members of groups targeted by his policies criticize him rather than knowing their place. I might add that for all the thoroughly insincere ‘free speech’ rhetoric from his supporters, Trump most frequently deploys his authority as head of state to chill criticism of himself. Like it’s not even close.”

Journalist Jemele Hill also came out in support of Rapinoe. “So as I’ve said previously about @mPinoe: Given this administration’s attitude toward the LGBTQ community (which they’ve enacted into policy), how do people not understand why she is upset,” Hill tweeted.

But some applauded Trump for inviting the team to the White House in the midst of his tweets. “Megan Rapinoe insults the president and the president still invites the US Women’s Soccer team to the White House win or lose after the World Cup. This is a big win for Trump. He makes Rapinoe look small here,” wrote Fox Sports Radio host Clay Travis.

Rapinoe isn’t the first athlete to decline an invitation to visit Trump’s White House. Last year, after the Golden State Warriors won the NBA title, the team opted out of meeting with the president.

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