This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/05/trump-white-house-philadelphia-eagles-visit
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| White House blames Philadelphia Eagles after Trump cancels visit | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Trump administration has said the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles showed “a lack of good faith” in talks over a White House visit which was cancelled on Monday, and claimed the “vast majority of the team decided to abandon their fans”. | The Trump administration has said the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles showed “a lack of good faith” in talks over a White House visit which was cancelled on Monday, and claimed the “vast majority of the team decided to abandon their fans”. |
| Donald Trump cancelled the traditional event on Monday night, citing player protests throughout the NFL over police brutality and racial inequality. | Donald Trump cancelled the traditional event on Monday night, citing player protests throughout the NFL over police brutality and racial inequality. |
| “They disagree with their president,” Trump said, “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.” | “They disagree with their president,” Trump said, “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.” |
| In fact, no Eagles player knelt during the playing of the national anthem last season. Some did protest in other ways, such as raising their fists. | In fact, no Eagles player knelt during the playing of the national anthem last season. Some did protest in other ways, such as raising their fists. |
| On Tuesday, Trump tweeted against a form of protest that will be allowed next season, under an NFL policy banning kneeling during the anthem on the field or sidelines that was announced last month. | On Tuesday, Trump tweeted against a form of protest that will be allowed next season, under an NFL policy banning kneeling during the anthem on the field or sidelines that was announced last month. |
| “Staying in the locker room for the playing of our national anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling,” Trump wrote, returning again to an issue seen as attractive to his Republican base and on which he has consequently focused. “Sorry!” | “Staying in the locker room for the playing of our national anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling,” Trump wrote, returning again to an issue seen as attractive to his Republican base and on which he has consequently focused. “Sorry!” |
| Later, a statement issued by press secretary Sarah Sanders said that “despite sensing a lack of good faith”, the White House had “attempted to work with the Eagles … to accomodate a smaller group of players”. | Later, a statement issued by press secretary Sarah Sanders said that “despite sensing a lack of good faith”, the White House had “attempted to work with the Eagles … to accomodate a smaller group of players”. |
| “Unfortunately,” Sanders added, “the Eagles offered to send only a tiny handful of representatives, while making clear that the great majority of players would not attend the event, despite planning to be in DC today. In other words, the vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans. | “Unfortunately,” Sanders added, “the Eagles offered to send only a tiny handful of representatives, while making clear that the great majority of players would not attend the event, despite planning to be in DC today. In other words, the vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans. |
| “Upon learning these facts, the president decided to change the event so that it would be a celebration of the American flag with Eagles fans and performances by United States Marine Band and the United States army Chorus.” | “Upon learning these facts, the president decided to change the event so that it would be a celebration of the American flag with Eagles fans and performances by United States Marine Band and the United States army Chorus.” |
| That event was scheduled to go ahead on Tuesday afternoon. | That event was scheduled to go ahead on Tuesday afternoon. |
| The Eagles issued a statement that avoided the issue, paying tribute instead to the supporters who followed the team to its first Super Bowl win. | The Eagles issued a statement that avoided the issue, paying tribute instead to the supporters who followed the team to its first Super Bowl win. |
| The NFL Players Association said the cancellation had resulted in the concurrent cancellation of “several player-led community service events for young people” in the Washington DC area. | The NFL Players Association said the cancellation had resulted in the concurrent cancellation of “several player-led community service events for young people” in the Washington DC area. |
| “Our union is disappointed in the decision by the White House to disinvite players from the Philadelphia Eagles from being recognized and celebrated by all Americans for their accomplishment,” the statement said. “NFL players love their country, support our troops, give back to their communities and strive to make America a better place.” | “Our union is disappointed in the decision by the White House to disinvite players from the Philadelphia Eagles from being recognized and celebrated by all Americans for their accomplishment,” the statement said. “NFL players love their country, support our troops, give back to their communities and strive to make America a better place.” |
| Many of Trump’s usual Republican supporters rallied to his side. The Iowa congressman Steve King tweeted a reference to the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback whose protest began the anthem movement when he said “there were NO Kaepernicks at the cemetery on Memorial Day!” | Many of Trump’s usual Republican supporters rallied to his side. The Iowa congressman Steve King tweeted a reference to the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback whose protest began the anthem movement when he said “there were NO Kaepernicks at the cemetery on Memorial Day!” |
| But there was some dissent in GOP ranks. Ryan Costello, a Pennsylvania congressman, wrote: “Eagles my fave team. Super Bowl win so meaningful as Philly sports fan. POTUS handled poorly. This is a depressing commentary on our political culture, very deflating to me. Was really excited for today. As a fan who bleeds green. Not going to WH. Disappointed in all of this.” | But there was some dissent in GOP ranks. Ryan Costello, a Pennsylvania congressman, wrote: “Eagles my fave team. Super Bowl win so meaningful as Philly sports fan. POTUS handled poorly. This is a depressing commentary on our political culture, very deflating to me. Was really excited for today. As a fan who bleeds green. Not going to WH. Disappointed in all of this.” |
| Among a number of Democrats and Pennsylvania lawmakers who criticised Trump, Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney said the president was a “fragile egomaniac”. | Among a number of Democrats and Pennsylvania lawmakers who criticised Trump, Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney said the president was a “fragile egomaniac”. |
| Speaking to CNN on Tuesday, the Democrat defended players’ rights to protest under the first amendment. He did not want to debate the issue with the president, he said, because the president was “a child”. | Speaking to CNN on Tuesday, the Democrat defended players’ rights to protest under the first amendment. He did not want to debate the issue with the president, he said, because the president was “a child”. |
| Trump also tweeted: “Nascar and Champion Martin Truex Jr were recently at the White House. It was a great day for a great sport!” | Trump also tweeted: “Nascar and Champion Martin Truex Jr were recently at the White House. It was a great day for a great sport!” |
| Donald Trump | Donald Trump |
| Trump administration | |
| US politics | |
| Race issues | Race issues |
| Protest | |
| US policing | |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |