President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he is sending a presidential delegation to the Women’s World Cup’s final match featuring the U.S. soccer team.
The U.S. Women’s National Team advanced to the final round of the tournament on Tuesday after defeating host country France 2-1 in the semifinal match. The U.S. women will play either Sweden or the Netherlands in the final on July 7.
The presidential delegation to attend the match includes the following officials:
- Jamie McCourt, United States Ambassador to the French Republic and Principality of Monaco
- Josephine Olsen, Director of the Peace Corps
- Seema Verma, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, United States Department of Health and Human Services
- Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State
- Shauna Rohbock, United States Army National Guard, Member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and former professional soccer player
- Kelly Loeffler, Chief Executive Officer of Bakkt and Co-owner of the Atlanta Dream
Trump sending the delegation could be a sign that he wants to thaw tensions with the team that arose from a spat with USWNT captain Megan Rapinoe.
Rapinoe said she ignored the national anthem before the team’s World Cup match against Thailand as a “‘f-you’ to any sort of inequality or bad sentiments that the [Trump] administration might have towards people who don’t look exactly like him.” (RELATED: US Women’s Soccer Player Ignored Anthem As ‘F-You’ To Trump)
Rapinoe also asserted that she’s not “going to the f**king White House” if the USWNT wins the tournament, adding that she doubts they would be invited anyway.
The president responded to Rapinoe in a tweet thread, declaring that she should “finish the job” and win the World Cup “before the TALKS!” He also officially invited the entire team to the White House, regardless if they win the tournament or not.
Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is “not going to the F…ing White House if we win.” Other than the NBA, which now refuses to call owners, owners (please explain that I just got Criminal Justice Reform passed, Black unemployment is at the lowest level…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019
….in our Country’s history, and the poverty index is also best number EVER), leagues and teams love coming to the White House. I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! We haven’t yet….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019
“Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team,” Trump said. “The USA is doing GREAT!”
….invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose. Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2019
Rapinoe sat out in the game against England due to a reported hamstring injury, but plans to play in the final match.
