Trump appears to attack NFL national anthem protesters during State of the Union address
In the first of many “he went there” moments from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, the commander-in-chief launched a very thinly veiled swipe at the NFL players who took a knee for the national anthem.
The moment came while Trump honored 12-year-old Preston Sharp. The California boy earned a seat next to first lady Melania Trump for a program he started to make sure the graves of U.S. soldiers were marked with American flags.
“Preston’s reverence for those who have served our nation reminds us of why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the National Anthem,” said Trump, to wild applause from the Republicans in the Capitol chamber.
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Reaction to the moment came in fast and frothing. GOP Twitter took note of Democrats’ sullen faces at the invocation of the anthem, while Liberal Twitter said the president invoking the NFL protest undermined any hope of a unifying address.
“He shoved sitting for the national anthem right up their asses,” wrote Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld.
he shoved sitting for the national anthem right up their asses. Did Dems stand for the applause? this guy. nothing like it.
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) January 31, 2018
Have to say the capital letters emphasized in embargoed copy of speech circulated to reporters (“we PROUDLY STAND FOR OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. Americans...”) suggest President Trump’s hand
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) January 31, 2018
I never thought I would see the day an American political party not support standing during the national anthem
Disgusting Democrats. They cannot be allowed near power #SOTU— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 31, 2018
Trump throwing out culture war red meat to his base, talking about the flag and the national anthem LIKE THEY WERE EVER IN JEOPARDY.
Protest is patriotic.
And confident leaders can handle dissent.#SOTU— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) January 31, 2018
Trump emphasizes standing for the National Anthem, Republicans give a rowdy double standing ovation in favor of punishing freedom of speech.
— Jared Yates Sexton (@JYSexton) January 31, 2018
More than half of Dems refuse to cheer or stand for National Anthem line #SOTU
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) January 31, 2018
Again, the vast majority of the @OfficialCBC did not stand when Pres Trump said "we proudly stand for the national anthem."
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 31, 2018
“One people, one American family...”
But hold on while I flick at the culture wars over policing and the national anthem protests.— Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) January 31, 2018
Read original story Trump Attacks NFL National Anthem Protesters, Internet Blitzes At TheWrap
