Amidst a flurry of conservative voices, Donald Trump emerged as a leading figure on Sunday, applauding the exit of the U.S. women’s soccer team from the World Cup. Their defeat to Sweden on penalties, marking their earliest departure from a major tournament, was met with a triumphant response from Trump.
Megan Rapinoe, a long-standing adversary of Trump, found herself in the spotlight as she missed a crucial penalty, concluding her final World Cup appearance on a disheartening note. Rapinoe, who will retire after the tournament, leaves behind an illustrious career with two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal.
Rapinoe, recognized as much for her activism and advocacy of left-wing causes as for her athletic accomplishments, was singled out for criticism by Trump. In his customary style, Trump took to social media to voice his views, stating, “The ‘shocking and totally unexpected’ loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden.”
He went on to express his discontent with players who he believed displayed hostility towards America, using the opportunity to emphasize his disapproval of woke culture. The former president’s sentiments took aim at Rapinoe’s missed penalty shot, accompanied by a characteristic “MAGA” sign-off.
Rapinoe promptly responded to Trump’s comments, describing them as a “sad dig into an old bag.” She questioned his inclination to root for failure and expressed her concern over such sentiments.
Notably, other conservative figures joined the chorus of criticism. Benny Johnson, the chief creative officer at Turning Point USA, took a swipe at Rapinoe’s missed penalty, labeling it a “humiliation.” Similarly, Joey Mannarino, a conservative political strategist, attributed the team’s loss to Rapinoe’s perceived woke activism.
Rapinoe first gained national attention when she knelt during the national anthem in support of NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s stance against police brutality and racial inequality. Her outspoken views on various social and political issues have kept her at odds with Trump, culminating in her decision to not visit the White House after the 2019 World Cup victory.
Despite their differing perspectives, Rapinoe’s campaign for pay equality for the women’s team achieved success in February 2022. As the dust settles on this episode, the clash between Rapinoe and Trump underscores the intersection of sports, politics, and activism in today’s world.