*Donald Trump’s attempt to show up the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles by holding a hastily-arranged “Celebration of America” event in lieu of the team’s canceled visit backfired bigly after he appeared not to know the words to “God Bless America,” and two people took a knee as the United States Marine Band played the national anthem.
At The White House. One guy in the audience took a knee during the national anthem at President Trumps celebration of America no Eagles event. Left right after – didn’t wanna talk pic.twitter.com/NLRGp26gln
— Jesper Zølck (@zolckTv2) June 5, 2018
En man knäböjde under nationalsången på Trumps firande. pic.twitter.com/heTDmuxiUe
— Carina Bergfeldt (@carinabergfeldt) June 5, 2018
The unidentified kneeler was recorded by a journalist from Sweden’s national public television broadcaster, who later attempted to interview the protester, but the man didn’t want to talk and left after the anthem ended.
Shortly after, a CNN reporter posted a picture of another attendee who knelt during the Star Spangled Banner and also yelled at Trump: “Stop hiding behind the armed services and the national anthem. Let’s hear it for the Eagles!”
The man who was booed after shouting @ POTUS also took a knee during the anthem but appears to also sing the anthem while kneeling, based on pic by Olivier Douliery/ TNS. (He was behind me & I didn’t turn around until I heard him shouting) pic.twitter.com/qwuqpEXrOE
— Noah Gray (@NoahGrayCNN) June 5, 2018
After the anthem, Trump delivered a three-minute address about the importance of standing for the national anthem and didn’t mention the Eagles or NFL once.
Again…not one Eagle took a knee or stayed in the locker room during the national anthem last season.
Also, a reporter pointed out that the “Eagles fans” invited by Trump for the occasion were mostly White House interns.
this one brought his #FirstAmendment rights – WASHINGTON, 6/ 5/18 — A White House event appears to have been attended mostly by Republican interns from across the nation’s capital#celebrationofAmerica ?#GodBlessAmerica #pwned #AmericasTeam#PhiladelphiaFreedom #Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/QlecNoIJOu
— revraygreen (@revraygreen) June 5, 2018
In conclusion, Trump cancelled the Eagles visit to avoid the embarrassment of less than ten players planning to attend by disinviting the entire team, claiming it was due to the national anthem controversy…only for his “patriotic” replacement spectacle to include two people who knelt during the anthem, his own struggle to remember the words to “God Bless America,” and WH interns reportedly dressed in Eagles gear to portray real fans.
Twitter was in stitches.
Isn’t it ironic that the President canceled the Eagles’ visit to avoid embarrassment, but the “replacement’ event was a BIGGER embarrassment?
– Didn’t know words to “God Bless America”
– Man in crowd took a knee
– Had fake Eagles fans attend, who didn’t know quarterback’s name
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) June 6, 2018
don’t worry @realDonaldTrump nobody really knows the “stand beside her, and guide her” line… #CelebrationOfAmerica
— Miko Reb (@mrebz126) June 6, 2018
Im picturing all the patriotic MAGA minions at home watching, also unable to sing along to this seemingly new song. #celebrationofamerica
— Anastasia Beaverhausen (@Im_kryan) June 5, 2018
Kudos to @CNN and @MSNBC for ignoring this sick propaganda parade. #CelebrationOfAmerica
— Jσηathan (@JohnnyAi) June 5, 2018
#CelebrationOfAmerica What the bloody hell is this? Are we Russia, North Korea now? And look at that idiot @realDonaldTrump “try” to sing God Bless America. What an ass. C’mon #MuellerInvestigation
— green_apple_luv (@green_apple_luv) June 5, 2018
I MEAN REALLY! WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS THE LYRICS TO “GOD BLESS AMERICA”? AM I RIGHT?#PhiladelphiaEagles#CelebrationofAmerica pic.twitter.com/GWFzHglsHw
— Mo Fei Chen (@DynaMoChen) June 5, 2018
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt #CelebrationOfAmerica https://t.co/6F2BVLmIpY
— Robin Leigh (@robinskyleigh) June 6, 2018
I find it more disrespectful for the United States President to butcher “God Bless America” than for NFL players to kneel in order to protest racial injustice.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) June 5, 2018
#CelebrationOfAmerica should be about freedom, not fascism. It looks like something straight out of North Korea.
— ⭐?Nikki (Q.A.D)?⭐ (@Creampuffmafia) June 6, 2018
If there wasn’t a single punch thrown at Trump’s #CelebrationOfAmerica “event”, then there weren’t any actual Philly fans in attendance.
— hoppyguy (@hoppyguy2017) June 5, 2018
April Ryan confirms there was, in fact, booing on the WH lawn at today’s #CelebrationOfAmerica I’m gonna need these fine folk to reveal themselves! https://t.co/rVnqpgHEhw
— Petty Betty (@PettyBettyBB) June 5, 2018
Where were you during the Celebration of America?#GodBlessAmerica#CelebrationOfAmerica
— David (Neighborhood Guy) (@bellringerwins) June 6, 2018
https://t.co/RsegeoDw0E The same ‘patriot’ who dodged the draft is draped in the flag. Oh, the irony! ?@GOP #Patriot #CelebrationOfAmerica #flag #EaglesNation #TakeAKnee #kneeling
— Robert Bledsoe (@RobertBledsoe76) June 6, 2018
While all of this was going on Tuesday, LeBron James and Steph Curry were stating the obvious about their respective teams deciding not to attend a White House reception – making it clear before Trump could “disinvite” them as well.
“I know no matter who wins this series, no one wants the invite anyway. So it won’t be Golden State or Cleveland going,” said James of the Cavaliers.
Warriors guard Curry said in an interview: “I agree with ‘Bron. Pretty sure the way we handled things last year, kinda staying consistent with that.” He’s referring to his 2017 championship team that famously skipped the traditional meeting with the president.
Meanwhile, the 2017 WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx are still waiting for their invitation to the White House.
The team, in D.C. today to play the Washington Mystics, have chosen instead to spend part of today giving away new sneakers to more than 300 needy kids in Washington.
Villanova, the reigning NCAA men’s champion, has not revealed if an invitation was sent. Many members of the U.S. Olympic Team that competed earlier this year in South Korea did not attend a White House reception.
Hockey’s Pittsburgh Penguins and baseball’s Houston Astros have accepted invitations to the White House for the traditional meeting with the President in recent months, as have several college teams. When the New England Patriots went last year, half the team chose not to attend.
The Warriors, in lieu of going to the White House, spent that day taking a group of children to the National Museum of African American History and Culture a few miles away.
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