U.S. soccer team too ‘woke’ to win the World Cup? That’s crazy even for Donald Trump | Opinion
Say what?
The U.S. women’s soccer team lost a critical game against Sweden because its members — particularly Megan Rapinoe — are too ‘woke’?
And that is somehow President Joe Biden’s fault?
That’s the gist of a Sunday night post on Truth Social from former President Donald Trump, who wasted no time in gloating about the women’s loss in the knockout round of the World Cup.
“The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to the (sic) our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” he wrote. “Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.”
What, did Biden somehow cast a “woke” spell on the US Women’s National Team?
And since “woke” equals weak, the women were doomed to fail?
The finish was disappointing, but remember, the USWNT won the previous two World Cups.
No matter. Donald Trump doesn’t like losers. Not even war heroes like the late John McCain.
And certainly not uppity women who play soccer. And definitely not Megan Rapinoe, who is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and refused to visit the Trump White House in 2019, after the women’s team won the second World Cup.
Never mind that she is celebrated as one of the finest soccer players the U.S. has ever produced.
In the world according to Donald Trump, she is not entitled to voice her opinions.
‘She deserves to be broke and homeless’
MAGA Nation is of the same mind; as soon as the game against Sweden was lost, the trolling began.
Megan Rapinoe has been trending on X, and the posts have not been kind. Here are a few of the more printable ones:
“Dear Megan Rapinoe, We will never forget your disrespect. Sincerely, America”
“bye, loser. get some more hair dye.”
“What an absolutely vile woman.”
“She deserves to be broke and homeless”
Failing to sing the National Anthem is ‘un-American’
And it isn’t just Rapinoe who is being demonized on social media.
Anger is being directed at the entire team because a majority of players chose not to sing the National Anthem when it was played before their World Cup matches, though five of them did put their hands over their hearts before at least one game. (Yes, people were actually keeping score of the number of players who mouthed the words, put a hand to heart, or left their hands at their sides or behind their backs.)
Look, we live in a time when athletes — among many other celebrities — use their platforms to make political statements. In a nation that prides itself on freedom of expression, that should be recognized as one of our rights.
Still, when America’s premiere female athletes choose to make a political statement, it’s considered un-American and cause for censure.
But how’s this for a double standard? In the eyes of many — including former President Trump — it’s perfectly acceptable to storm the U.S. Capitol, assault police officers, vandalize and loot, smear walls with feces, terrorize lawmakers and threaten to hang the vice president of the United States.
And they are hailed as patriots by some, while athletes who don’t sing the “Star Spangled Banner” are practically accused of treason?
What a way to wring all the joy out of athletic competition.
Like the Olympics, the World Cup should provide us with an opportunity to set aside political differences and root for — or sympathize with — the home team.
Instead, it’s become yet another battleground in the culture wars — one where a missed penalty kick is a sign that “the USA is going to HELL.”
And you thought soccer was only a game?
If only.
This story was originally published August 8, 2023 at 9:40 AM with the headline "U.S. soccer team too ‘woke’ to win the World Cup? That’s crazy even for Donald Trump | Opinion."
