Megan Rapinoe stands by almost every word she said.
The U.S. Women’s National Team captain, who drew the ire of President Trump when video was released this week — by soccer magazine Eight by Eight — of Rapinoe saying, “I’m not going to the f—— White House,” should they win another World Cup, reiterated her stance in a statement Thursday, only regretting her phrasing.
“I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House, with the exception of the expletive,” Rapinoe said. “My mom will be very upset about that. But I think, obviously, answering with a lot of passion considering how much time and effort and pride we take in the platform that we have and using it for good and for leaving the game in a better place and hopefully the world in a better place, I don’t think that I would want to go.
“And I would encourage my teammates to think hard about lending that platform or having that co-opted by an administration that doesn’t feel the same way and doesn’t fight for same things that we fight for.”
Rapinoe declined to answer further questions on the issue, focusing on her fight on the field against co-favorite France in Friday’s quarterfinals in Paris.
Coach Jill Ellis said the veteran team hasn’t considered the controversy a distraction.
“We all support Megan,” Ellis said. “She knows that. We know we have each other’s backs in there. I think for our players, there is only one purpose, one mission that we’re here. Comments, media, whatever, it’s always been something that I think we can block out pretty easily.”
Fellow captain Alex Morgan also previously publicly stated that she wouldn’t accept an invitation to the White House, while teammate Ali Krieger tweeted Wednesday her support for Rapinoe, who is openly gay.
“In regards to the “President’s” tweet today, I know women who you cannot control or grope anger you, but I stand by @mPinoe & will sit this one out as well. I don’t support this administration nor their fight against LGBTQ+ citizens, immigrants & our most vulnerable.”
Trump had also recently criticized Rapinoe for failing to sing, or place her hand over her heart, during the national anthem. The 33-year-old star previously joined the Colin Kaepernick-led protest of racial injustice by kneeling during the anthem, prior to two U.S. games in 2016. U.S. Soccer soon required that every player stand during the anthem.
On Wednesday, Trump tweeted that Rapinoe was disrespectful to the country, and premature in addressing the situation, before extending invitations to the entire team, regardless of its result in the tournament.
