The internet is slamming President Trump after he lashed out at the National Football League on Friday for not implementing penalties for players who protest during the national anthem.
The “hemorrhaging” NFL has allowed players to become “the boss,” Trump claimed in a tweet Friday. His comments follow Thanksgiving games in which New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon knelt during the anthem.
“Can you believe that the disrespect for our Country, our Flag, our Anthem continues without penalty to the players. The Commissioner has lost control of the hemorrhaging league. Players are the boss!” Trump tweeted Friday morning.
Several players have continued to kneel during games as the NFL season enters its 12th week.
The NFL said last month it has no plans to implement a ban on kneeling during the anthem. NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said the commissioner planned to speak to the teams and owners “about how to use our platform to both raise awareness and make progress on issues of social justice and equality in this country.”
Read Trump’s tweet and some of the responses below:
Can you believe that the disrespect for our Country, our Flag, our Anthem continues without penalty to the players. The Commissioner has lost control of the hemorrhaging league. Players are the boss! https://t.co/udXP5MR8BC
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2017
— Nancy Vigeant (@nancy02719) November 24, 2017
Yes. Someone from the press pool should shout this question: "WITH YOUR CONTINUED ATTACKS ON KNEELING NFL PLAYERS, ARE WE TO CONCLUDE THAT YOU SIR, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, SUPPORTS THE KILLING OF UNARMED BLACK AMERICANS?
— Jerry Snackhouse (@smithandbarclay) November 24, 2017
No one sees this as disrespect but you. Why are you taking this so personally?
— Cuckoo's Nest (@thecuckoosnest1) November 24, 2017
I can't believe how many days off you have taken to play golf.
😂@cspanwj #UniteBlue #politics #news #humor
— 'Wheat (@sandcrapper) November 24, 2017
Attacking the constitutional rights of their citizens is #unpresidential – stop it
— Brian Weaver (@BrianWeaver1962) November 24, 2017
Can you believe a 71 year old holding the title of office disrespects our constitution by telling his dim followers that people exercising their constitutional rights should be punished.
— Vikki V (@MissVikkiV) November 24, 2017
— Mike Okrainec (@micloria) November 24, 2017
You *still* don't understand the concept of peaceful protest. Willfully obtuse like the world has never seen before.
— Linda M (@SmallStakes) November 24, 2017
— RobSC (@RobertInSC) November 24, 2017
Sorry Trump, they’re football 🏈 players not slaves! When are you going to learn the real purpose of kneeling.
— Georgette Bennett (@georgettet1951) November 24, 2017