World Cup soccer star Megan Rapinoe struggled to directly answer a question about what she would say to a fan who was also a supporter of President Trump.
The self-absorbed U.S. Women’s National Team co-captain spoke with MSNBC’s Chuck Todd about how the president’s message supposedly “excludes people that look like me and are me” as she claimed to be espousing a message of unity.
Rapinoe, who has celebrated the U.S. women’s national team victory in the World Cup last weekend with interviews and appearances – as well as a New York City victory parade for the team – was confronted by Todd on “Meet the Press” Sunday on her attacks of the president.
“You were talking about at the beginning that you see an opportunity here to preach a message of unity,” Todd said.
“How do you preach unity and at the same time you don’t want to be near President Trump, and I get that, how do you do both?” he asked.
“I’m figuring that out by the day,” Rapinoe replied vaguely. “I think you inspire people.”
Apparently the soccer star’s idea of inspiring others includes a controversial clash with Trump over comments she made saying she was “not going to the f—— White House” if the team was invited following a victory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The team’s star forward sparked backlash by disrespecting the national anthem, and has brought attention to the alleged disparities in the treatment of male and female soccer teams as well as the inequality of pay.
Trump 2020 flags troll soccer stars, Rapinoe defiantly protests anthem during NYC victory parade https://t.co/rULwXQgPzL pic.twitter.com/JjcCNWh2Qi
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) July 10, 2019
“What do you tell a Trump supporter who loves watching you? And is like, ‘I wish she’d go to the White House’?” Todd asked her Sunday.
“Yeah, I think that I would, you know, try to share our message,” Rapinoe responded. “Do you, you know, believe that all people are created equal? Do you believe that equal pay should be mandated? Do you believe that everyone should have healthcare? Do you believe that we should treat everyone with respect?”
“I think those are the basics of what we’re talking about,” she continued. “And I understand people feel upset or uncomfortable. There’s I think some feelings of disrespect about the anthem protest or things that I’ve said in the past, but ultimately I think I am here open and honest.”
Rapinoe told Todd that she has “admitted mistakes” and will continue to be “honest” since somehow that counter’s Trump’s message.
“I will continue to do that. I will continue to be vulnerable and be honest and be open and want to have that conversation because I think Trump’s message excludes people that look like me and that are me, of course, but it excludes a lot of people in his base as well. And I think that he’s trying to divide so he can conquer, not unite so we can all conquer,” she said.
Todd wondered if there was anything Trump could do “to change your mind about a visit to the White House?”
“There’s, like, 50 policy issues that we can probably reverse and get going,” Rapinoe answered, laughing.
“I mean, it would take a tremendous amount I think. I understand that progress is sometimes slow and I’ll never close any door all the way,” she said even while she continues to refuse a visit to the White House to meet with the president. “But I think it would take more than Trump is willing to do.”
Many have slammed the soccer star and her liberal teammates for the continual “dissing” of the president, as Fox News host Howard Kurtz recently said.
“It had the potential to be this wonderful unifying moment for the country. The women’s soccer team played so well, captured that World Cup,” he said last week. “But she has just been constantly giving interviews dissing Donald Trump, dissing the White House, dissing the national anthem. I think that is a shame.”
While Rapinoe dismissed the idea of running for office after Todd asked her if she would “entertain professionalizing your social activism,” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared that if he won the 2020 presidential election, he would tap Rapinoe to serve as secretary of state.
Twitter users were equally disgusted with Todd’s questions as with Rapinoe’s responses on “Meet the Press.”
@chucktodd I wouldn’t like to see her visit the White House. You obviously do not understand American patriots at all! We demand respect of our country & will NOT give respect to this woman who is disrespectful to our country, our @POTUS & our Flag.
STOP asking fake questions.— Nancy Burridge (@NancyBurridge) July 15, 2019
She didn’t actually answer any of his questions
— Meg ✝️ (@meg_wilt) July 15, 2019
That’s a normal question for a journalist to ask right? Chuck Todd has never been a real journalist. He has become a left wing tool. Just like his employer.
— Hockey Guy (@hockeyguy1967) July 15, 2019
I love how she complains about a lack of unity, but later says her problems with him are over policy. Absolute dunce.
— Dalton ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@The_FlowerKing) July 15, 2019
sorry, she killed any admiration from Trump supporters with her hatred and disdain while overseas. NOT patriotic, she should be adult enough to keep her personal animus to herself while representing USA overseas…oh wait, did I say adult? sorry, she is childish….
— marie derome (@mtderome) July 14, 2019
I don’t think any Trump supporter “likes to watch her”. It sounds more like she could go away and not be missed.
— nkfremont (@nlkoebel) July 15, 2019
That’s funny because they’re aren’t any Trump supporters who like to watch her.
We love our Country and our President.
I never heard of the woman before her little kneeling stunt. Her 15 minutes are up! #Pathetic @mPinoe— Americans First! Jen ⭐⭐⭐ (@bakerjmw2018) July 15, 2019
Yawn…she’s yesterday’s news but the MSM hacks will get their mileage out of her as long as her TDS keeps flaring up…
— Bill Thomas (@BillThomas1082) July 15, 2019
I’d rather see an interview from the team member that picked the flag up she was dancing on.
— LA Mike (@mickel_ans) July 15, 2019
This media infatuation with Megan Rapinoe kind of reminds you of the way they did with the creepy porn lawyer until he was of no use to them anymore
— Anita (@froggie2) July 15, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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