Megan Rapinoe says she won't go to 'the f*****g White House', Trump hits back saying she should 'win before she talks'
Megan Rapinoe, the co-captain of the United States women’s soccer team, says she will not be paying a congratulatory visit to President Trump if her team wins the World Cup currently being played in France.
In a conversation with Eight by Eight magazine on Tuesday, she said, "I’m not going to the f*****g White House. No. I’m not going to the White House. We’re not gonna be invited."
Her comments came just a day after the US leader said it was inappropriate for her to refuse to sing the national anthem or cross her heart while it was being played before fixtures, Daily Mail reports.
Trump immediately fired back a series of tweets saying: "I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!"
"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. The USA is doing GREAT!" Trump wrote.
After Trump became president in January 2017, a series of sports teams declined invitations to the White House or cited "scheduling conflicts" for why they couldn't make it.
That said, a number of sports teams in both the professional and collegiate ranks were not invited to the prestigious residence in the first place.
Among those who did not make the traditional celebratory trip to the White House included the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, the WNBA's Seattle Storm, the University of Notre Dame's women's college basketball team, NBA's Golden State Warriors, Villanova University's men's basketball team, the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, and NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson.
Other teams who did visit the White House upon invitation included Clemson's national championship football squad, the University of Alabama's football team, the New England Patriots, the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Houston Astros.
That said, Rapinoe has touted herself as a "walking protest" to the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, President Trump told The Hill on Monday that while he disagreed with her actions, he thinks the players are very talented and that he loves watching them play.
Rapinoe's kneeling during the national anthem prompted the United States Soccer Federation to adopt a policy mandating players to stand while the anthem was playing.
After the new policy came into effect, the US soccer star had no choice but to stand during the anthem.
However, she has been criticized for not singing or putting her hand over her heart like her teammates.