President Donald Trump gave an impromptu press briefing while boarding Air Force One on Sunday evening to address his criticism of NFL players who took a knee during the national anthem.
He told reporters that his criticism has ‘nothing’ to do with race, saying: ‘I never said anything about race.
‘This has nothing to do with race or anything else. This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag.’
Upon his return to the White House he tweeted: ‘Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country.
‘NFL should change policy!’
It’s unclear what policy Trump was referring to.
President Donald Trump gave an impromptu press briefing while boarding Air Force One on Sunday evening to address his criticism of NFL players who took a knee during the national anthem
Upon his return to the White House he tweeted: ‘Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country. ‘NFL should change policy!’
During Sunday’s NFL games more than 130 players defiantly reacted to Trump’s criticism – with at least 30 players kneeling, sitting linking arms, giving black power salutes and not even showing up for the singing of the anthem.
Unsurprisingly Trump took to twitter to respond – writing: ”Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings!’
He quickly followed up to say: ‘Courageous Patriots have fought and died for our great American Flag – we MUST honor and respect it! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!’
The tweets doubled down on comments he made during a speech in Alabama Friday night.
During the speech he said any player who protests racism by kneeling during the national anthem is a ‘son of a b****’. The protests were started before the 2016 season by quarterback Colin Kaepernick – who used his public platform to protest police violence.
On Sunday evening Trump told reporters that his criticism has ‘nothing’ to do with race, saying: ‘I never said anything about race. ‘This has nothing to do with race or anything else. This has to do with respect for our country and respect for our flag’
Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday afternoon after at least 130 players protested during the national anthem
The defiance against Trump continued as games kicked off across the country with at least 20 Patriots players kneeling and many of their teammates, including Tom Brady, locking arms in unity in Houston, Texas
Jacksonville Jaguars players were spotted kneeling during the U.S. national anthem before the match on Sunday
Baltimore Ravens players took a knee during the national anthem at Wembley in London on Sunday just hours after Donald Trump continued his growing feud with athletes
During Sunday evening’s conference Trump also doubled down on calls for players who protest the flag to be fired saying: ‘It’s very disrespect to our flag and to our country, so I certainly think the owners should do something about it.’
Speaking about whether the players were just expressing their first amendment rights, he said: ‘They have rights. We all have rights.
‘But when you’re on the field, and, you know, there’s a situation gong on, this is a great, great country, and we have a great flag, and they should respect our flag.
‘They’re making a lot of money. I’m not begrudging anything. I’m just saying they have to respect our flag, and they have to respect our country.
When asked about Robert Kraft’s comments, Trump said he thought it was ‘okay’ that the Patriots owner was disappointed in him, saying: ‘He has to take his ideas and go with what he wants.
‘I think it’s very disrespectful to our country. I think it’s very disrespectful to our flag.’
On Sunday the owner, who has previously been forward about his friendship with the president, said the comments ‘deeply disappointed’ him.
Reaffirming his pro-military stance, the president also met with Marine One pilot Major James Thompson as he arrived back in Washington.
Major Thompson completed his last flight as pilot was introduced by Trump to reporters.
Reaffirming his pro-military stance, the president also met with Marine One pilot Major James Thompson as he arrived back n Washington
Major Thompson completed his last flight as pilot was introduced by Trump to reporters. Trump is pictured greeting Lynel Thompson, wife of the Marine pilot, and their two children