American women’s soccer co-captain Megan Rapinoe is not planning to go to the White House if the national team wins the World Cup.
A reporter from Eight by Eight, a soccer magazine that looks at the sport and its place in culture, asked Rapinoe if she was excited about going to the White House if her team wins the Women’s World Cup.
“Psssh, I’m not going to the f*****g White House,” she fired back before the reporter finished the question. “No. I’m not going to the White House. We’re not gonna be invited. I doubt it.”
The magazine posted the short interview clip Tuesday on Twitter.
The US national team is competing in the Women’s World Cup, and plays host country France on Friday.
Other teams have skipped the White House visit
It’s not the first time professional athletes have turned down a visit to the White House.
The Golden State Warriors decided not to go to the White House last year after winning an NBA title. Before their scheduled visit, President Donald Trump revoked their invitation on Twitter.
Trump also canceled a visit from the 2018 Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles because of controversy over standing for the national anthem at games.
Rapinoe is an advocate for social equality
Rapinoe, one of the women’s national team’s co-captains, has been outspoken about social justice issues. In 2016, she was among the first white professional athletes to show solidarity with Colin Kaepernick when media first began reporting on his kneeling during the national anthem. Rapinoe knelt during a game a month after it was first noticed that Kaepernick was kneeling.
“I think it’s actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isn’t,” she said. “We need to have a more thoughtful, two-sided conversation about racial issues in this country.”
Just this week, Trump told The Hill that he doesn’t think it’s appropriate for Rapinoe to protest during the national anthem.
She’s demanded equal pay for the women’s team
In May, Rapinoe called out the soccer’s leadership for not doing enough to level the pitch for men and women players. She acknowledged “strides” had been made toward the better treatment of women, but FIFA essentially has “unlimited resources” and a historic lack of investment in women’s games.
“I would like to see a major paradigm shift,” she said.
Rapinoe is also one of 28 players suing the United States Soccer Federation, alleging the men’s national team earns more than they do even though they play more games and win more matches.
Trump: Rapinoe ‘should WIN first’ before declining WH invitation
President Donald Trump railed against American women’s soccer co-captain Megan Rapinoe Wednesday after the soccer star said she wouldn’t go to the White House if the national team wins the World Cup before saying that he would invite them to visit “win or lose.”
In a series of tweets, Trump claimed that sports teams “love coming to the White House” and attacked Rapinoe, saying she “should WIN first before she talks!”
“Finish the job!” he said.
The President then extended an invitation “win or lose” to the US national team, which is competing in the Women’s World Cup, and plays host country France on Friday.
“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,” he wrote.
A spokesperson with US Soccer had no comment when reached by CNN.
Rapinoe has been outspoken about social justice issues. In 2016, she was among the first white professional athletes to show solidarity with football player Colin Kaepernick when media first began reporting on his kneeling during the national anthem. Rapinoe knelt during a game a month after it was first noticed that Kaepernick was kneeling.
She is also one of 28 players suing the United States Soccer Federation, alleging the men’s national team earns more than they do even though they play more games and win more matches.
Earlier this week during an Oval Office interview with The Hill, Trump said he doesn’t think it’s appropriate for Rapinoe to protest during the national anthem.
It’s unclear whether the team will accept the President’s invitation, but it’s hardly the first time the President has sparred with politically active athletes.
Other professional athletes have skipped out on invitations by Trump to visit the White House to celebrate recent wins, including the Boston Red Sox’ manager Alex Cora and MVP Mookie Betts, among others, during the team’s visit last month celebrating their World Series victory and Washington Capitals’ Braden Holtby following the team’s 2018 Stanley Cup win. The White House canceled the Philadelphia Eagles’ visit after the Super Bowl in 2018 when it became clear only a small number of players were going to attend. And the 2018 NBA champion Golden State Warriors spent time with former President Barack Obama during their trip to Washington instead of a White House visit this year.
