Donald Trump disinvited the Philadelphia Eagles from the White House on Tuesday because only a small delegation planned to attend. Trump claimed it was a disagreement over kneeling for the National Anthem.
No Eagles players kneeled during the regular season in 2017. So, it appears most just didn't want to be seen with Trump.
Wrote the White House in a statement: “The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony—one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem. I will be there at 3:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America.”
Trump tweeted: “The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!”
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
On Tuesday morning, he added that he would playing the National Anthem anyway at 3 pm, when the Eagles were scheduled to be there: “We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!”
We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
In case you didn't hear the first time, he repeated again moments later, he's playing the National Anthem at 3 pm: “We have had many Championship teams recently at the White House including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots, Alabama and Clemson National Champions, and many others. National Anthem & more great music today at 3:00 P.M.”
We have had many Championship teams recently at the White House including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots, Alabama and Clemson National Champions, and many others. National Anthem & more great music today at 3:00 P.M.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
And some truth:
https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/1003788133534715906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fphiladelphia%2Feagles%2Fcurrent-and-former-players-react-president-donald-trump-calling-eagles-white-house-visit
https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/status/1003785689555664897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fphiladelphia%2Feagles%2Fcurrent-and-former-players-react-president-donald-trump-calling-eagles-white-house-visit
Let me get this straight so YALL President saw that a few players from the Eagles wasn't showing up tomorrow so he got sensitive and and cancelled the whole trip? 😂 Man get this bum out of here! Correct me if I'm wrong didn't Eagles players stand for the anthem all year? 🤔
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) June 5, 2018