Ted Cruz has observed that ‘everyone stood’ for the national anthem at a historic fundraiser with five former presidents.
‘Everyone stood as one for national anthem,’ the Republican senator from Texas tweeted after the hurricane fundraising event in his home state on Saturday night, adding, ‘God bless!’
The event was to raise money for the victims of hurricanes that have ravaged Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Cruz’s remarks shined the spotlight back on the NFL anthem kneeling controversy ahead of another Sunday full of football.
Cruz’s remarks shined the spotlight back on the NFL anthem kneeling controversy ahead of another Sunday full of football
The event was to raise money for the victims of hurricanes that have ravaged Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
Critics of the kneeling protests say they are an insult to the country and the flag.
On Friday, President Donald Trump launched a petition campaign in hopes of pressuring the NFL to make players stand for the national anthem.
The NFL owners met in Manhattan on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing controversy surround players protesting during the national anthem, but did not announce any change to league rules that would have compelled players to stand.
‘Too much talk, not enough action,’ Trump tweeted afterwards. ‘Stand for the National Anthem.’
The protests began in 2016 with former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick (center)
Beginning with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the 2016 preseason, NFL players have been protesting racial disparities and police practices by sitting, kneeling, or raising a fist during the national anthem.
Trump has been the demonstrators’ biggest critic, referring to the players as ‘sons of b******’ and demanding that owners discipline anyone who refuses to stand for ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter were in attendance at the Saturday fundraiser.
The elder Bush, who is 93, did not stand for the anthem, as he uses a wheelchair.
Trump appeared via a video message praising the work of his predecessors, whom he called some of America’s finest public servants.