Donald Trump continues to add names to his list of pro-athletes who protest the national anthem for a cause bigger than the song’s lyrics. While the sun began its course, Trump opened his Twitter app to aim one of his first thoughts of the day at Marshawn Lynch.
Before the start of a match against the New England Patriots in Mexico City, Mexico over the weekend, Lynch reportedly sat on the Oakland Raiders bench as the U.S.A.’s “Star Spangled-Banner” played. When Mexico’s national anthem blared throughout the stadium, Lynch allegedly acknowledged the song by standing up.
Of course, that gesture didn’t sit too well with Trump who called Beastmode’s actions a “great disrespect!” He also called for the NFL to suspend Lynch “for remainder of season.”
Marshawn Lynch of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders stands for the Mexican Anthem and sits down to boos for our National Anthem. Great disrespect! Next time NFL should suspend him for remainder of season. Attendance and ratings way down.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2017
Marshawn Lynch sits during the US national anthem, stands for Mexican anyhem pic.twitter.com/8wdaKprEki
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) November 19, 2017
Although Trump has foreign affairs that continue to mount at his White House door, 45 still manages to keep up with happenings in the sports world. Recently, he traveled to China to visit President Xi Jinping to discuss a myriad of topics that impact both countries. While overseas, Trump reportedly asked Jinping to help with three UCLA basketball players’ shoplifting incident. One of those athletes is LaVar Ball’s son.
After the trio returned to the U.S., Ball’s son thanked Trump, but his father didn’t see the point in giving Trump credit. “Don’t tell me nothing,” Ball said to ESPN. “Everybody wants to make it seem like he helped me out.”
Trump then tweeted his thoughts, which can be read below.
Shoplifting is a very big deal in China, as it should be (5-10 years in jail), but not to father LaVar. Should have gotten his son out during my next trip to China instead. China told them why they were released. Very ungrateful!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2017