Trump Again Attacks NFL Players Protesting Racism, Oppression: ‘Tell Them to Stand!’

Tweets Began at 6:42 AM

Donald Trump began his morning at 6:42 AM with a Twitter tantrum aimed at Senator John McCain, quickly turning ire to the NBA’s Stephen Curry, a guard for the championship Golden State Warriors.

Twelve hours earlier, the president called Kaepernick a “son of a b*tch” for protesting racism and the oppression of people of color by taking a knee instead of standing for the National Anthem. 

Many on social media noted that the attacks, coupled with this week’s attack on ESPN reporter Jemele Hill by Trump and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, were all aimed at African Americans.

Trump’s rhetoric drove NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to speak out against Trump, and further prompted athletes from both the NBA and NFL to band together to denounce the president’s attack on free speech.

Hours later, Trump doubled down, perhaps a response to the backlash he received from athletes across the nation. “If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues,” the president wrote, “he or she should not be allowed to disrespect…” “…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem,” he continued. “If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!”

Hours later still, Trump returned to Twitter to further attack Senator John McCain, offer commentary on Iran and attack the NFL’s Roger Goodell for his statement. “Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country,” he wrote. “Tell them to stand!”

As some have noted:

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