For the first time in modern presidential history, the White House has canceled a championship team visit — and it’s all because Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry hurt President Trump’s feelings.
President Trump took offense to Curry mulling over whether the Warriors should visit the White House as a team. Curry has been very vocal about his dissatisfaction with Trump and he said he was opposed to going to the White House.
The Warriors had not yet decided whether they should visit the White House as a team, so Trump made the decision for them by rescinding the invitation.
“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!” Trump tweeted Saturday morning.
Trump later tweeted:
“If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect…. our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!”
The NBA’s greatest player, LeBron James, rushed to Curry’s defense, tweeting: “U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
The Twitter confrontation came less than 24 hours after Trump said NFL players who take a knee during the national anthem should be fired.
During a rally for Alabama Senate candidate Luther Strange on Friday, Trump said: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b-tch off the field right now… He is fired.'”
He said football fans should leave the stadium if players take a knee to protest racial injustice in America.
“When people like yourselves turn on television and you see those people taking the knee when they are playing our great national anthem – the only thing you could do better is if you see it, even if it’s one player, leave the stadium,” Trump said. “I guarantee things will stop.”
The NFL issued a statement on Saturday morning, saying Trump’s comments were “divisive” and “an unfortunate lack of respect for the N.F.L., our great game and all of our players.”
Trump’s direct attacks on America’s elite black athletes fired up his loyal fan base who took to social media in droves to show their support.
The issue isn't President Trump respecting the NFL. Its NFL players disrespecting our flag. pic.twitter.com/mhcfuJfW3i
— Mike Himsworth (@MikeHimsworth) September 23, 2017
The Rev. Al Sharpton called the president’s statements “incendiary and misogynistic”, and promised to address Trump’s statements during an Action Rally in New York on Saturday.
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
Photos by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images, Mark Wilson/Getty Images, Cousart/JFXimages/WENN.com
