trump says nfl insults about patriotism not race
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Trump says NFL insults about patriotism, not race

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Trump says NFL insults about patriotism, not race

US President Donald Trump denied inflaming racial tensions Monday, insisting his charged comments that
Washington - AFP

US President Donald Trump denied inflaming racial tensions Monday, insisting his charged comments that prompted a wave of symbolic protests by NFL players were about patriotism not color.

After his volley of verbal attacks on black athletes led players across the country to kneel during the US national anthem over the weekend, the besieged president played defense on Twitter.

 

Trump had started the furor by attacking players like Colin Kaepernick -- who first took a knee through renditions of the "Star-Spangled Banner" during last year's American football season to protest police brutality toward African Americans -- as a "son of a bitch" who should be fired.

In a separate feud, Trump also disinvited basketball superstar Stephen Curry from a White House event.

More than 150 pro football players took a defiant stance on Sunday, kneeling, linking arms or raising clenched fists during the anthem before 14 games.

In response, the US leader doubled down on those remarks by urging fans to boycott the NFL as long as the protests continued.

And on Monday, keeping the issue alive for a fourth day, Trump insisted: "The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!"

Twelve hours later, he was still at it, denying any rifts about the issue with his influential chief of staff.

"General John Kelly totally agrees w/ my stance on NFL players and the fact that they should not be disrespecting our FLAG or GREAT COUNTRY!"

Trump -- who faces low poll numbers and is struggling to enact his agenda -- earlier tried to single out the NFL players who protested.

"Many people booed the players who kneeled yesterday (which was a small percentage of total). These are fans who demand respect for our Flag!" he tweeted.

He also pointed to the Pittsburgh Penguins' acceptance of a White House invitation and support from racecar fans.

"So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won't put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag - they said it loud and clear!" Trump tweeted.

Only a handful of NASCAR drivers have been African American.

But driver Dale Earnhardt also took to Twitter, implicitly rebuking Trump with a quote from former president John F Kennedy: "All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

Trump also drew a furious backlash from NBA basketball stars, including superstar LeBron James, who described the president as a "bum."

"He doesn't understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement," said James.

"The people run this country. Not one individual. And damn sure not him."

The White House denied that Trump's "son of a bitch" remarks were unbecoming of his office.

"I think that it's always appropriate for the president of the United States to defend our flag, to defend the national anthem, and to defend the men and women who fought and died to defend it," said spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

"The president is not talking about race," she claimed.

- Courting controversy -

Trump has wholeheartedly embraced the controversy, with his advisors suggesting it plays well with his largely white base.

Trump also changed his Twitter background photo to an American flag and stated that the "White House never looked more beautiful than it did returning last night."

That has led critics to accuse Trump of creating a diversion.

His efforts to repeal Barack Obama's health care reforms have run aground and would-be signature tax reforms are giving way to much less ambitious tax cuts.

At the same time, Trump faces a number of challenges from overseas, not least a war of words with North Korea that threatens to become a shooting war.

Trump has also faced criticism for his low-profile White House response to Hurricane Maria, which has left much of the US island territory of Puerto Rico

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

trump says nfl insults about patriotism not race trump says nfl insults about patriotism not race

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

trump says nfl insults about patriotism not race trump says nfl insults about patriotism not race

 



GMT 12:49 2017 Wednesday ,06 September

Senegal wants to buy 10 units of ship from PT PAL Indonesia

GMT 22:57 2017 Wednesday ,01 March

Trump lays out his vision of America to Congress

GMT 21:08 2017 Sunday ,17 September

OIC condemns suicide attack in Cameroon

GMT 00:59 2017 Sunday ,10 December

hmad Zahid's Visit To Rohingya Camp

GMT 02:25 2017 Friday ,24 February

Pope in emotion-charged visit to Italy quake zone

GMT 22:26 2016 Thursday ,22 September

Indian market closes higher

GMT 05:52 2016 Wednesday ,05 October

Robin Williams’ widow details actor’s final days

GMT 18:42 2017 Saturday ,07 October

Education, Works ministries discuss cooperation

GMT 03:11 2017 Friday ,14 April

5 Sudanese soldiers killed in Yemen

GMT 15:35 2017 Saturday ,25 February

United Nations chief arrives in Saudi

GMT 20:47 2017 Saturday ,07 October

PM asserts to bolster relations with Egypt

GMT 07:09 2017 Wednesday ,29 March

Ellie Goulding to Open Mawazine Festival

GMT 05:01 2017 Friday ,05 May

Arab Media Forum begins in Dubai

GMT 01:12 2017 Wednesday ,18 October

Fights against climate change, terrorism linked

GMT 06:59 2017 Monday ,13 February

Disney parks in US increases prices again

GMT 14:36 2017 Wednesday ,04 January

Record-chasing Chelsea face test

GMT 14:34 2016 Sunday ,14 August

United States wins 1000th Olympic gold medal
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday