Donald Trump accused of lying as national anthem feud grows

“PRESIDENT Ego” Donald Trump has been accused of making up a lie as his feud with the Super Bowl champions gets even more bitter.

DONALD Trump’s feud with the NFL champions is deepening amid accusations he lied about their stance on the national anthem.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump cancelled the Super Bowl winners’ traditional visit to the White House. He said too few players from the Philadelphia Eagles planned to attend, and had a go at the team for supposedly disrespecting America’s anthem.

“They disagree with their president because he insists that they proudly stand for the national anthem, hand on heart, in honour of the great men and women of our military and people of our country,” the White House said.

This is a real sore spot for the NFL. For more than a year, dozens of players have been kneeling during the anthem, protesting police brutality and the mass incarceration of black people.

Under sustained public attack from Mr Trump and pressure from plunging TV ratings, the league recently announced players will be fined if they continue to kneel.

The first player to protest by kneeling during the anthem was Colin Kaepernick (right). Picture: AP

Some argued the move was a violation of the players’ right to free speech, but for Mr Trump, it was a triumph.

The anthem controversy has been a staple of his Twitter feed for months. It is one of his favourite topics to vent about, right up there with “fake news” and the Russia investigation.

The president frequently shames kneeling players, claiming they are being “disrespectful” to their country.

If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

...our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country. NFL should change policy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017

The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

However there was a basic problem with his attack on the Super Bowl champs — none of them have been kneeling.

“False. Deceptive. A lie,” said CNN’s Jake Tapper, who is admittedly a huge Eagles fan.

Mr Tapper cited a Philadelphia player, who said Mr Trump had made up the assertion that his teammates were boycotting the White House event over the anthem issue.

“According to a member of the Eagles with whom I spoke, that claim by President Trump is a lie,” he said. “This player tells me that not one Eagle cited the president’s view on anthem protests when discussing the reasons they did not want to attend.”

More conservative programs also called out the president for trying to turn the Eagles snub into a patriotism contest.

“Every Eagle stood at every game, every time. None knelt,” reported Fox News anchor Shepard Smith.

“President Ego didn’t want to be embarrassed when only a handful of players and staff showed up to his little shindig, so he’ll just make up a lie and see if it sticks,” fumed HLN host S.E. Cupp.

Members of the Indianapolis Colts kneeling during the anthem. The Eagles were one of the few teams to have no kneeling players last year. Picture: AFP

Whatever the players say, there is undoubtedly a political edge to this.

The customary White House visit has caused Mr Trump problems before. Last year several players from the New England Patriots didn’t bother to attend, and on top of that, the NBA champion Golden State Warriors all refused to go.

It seems whoever wins this year’s NBA Finals series between Golden State and the Cleveland Cavaliers will again boycott the event.

“I’m pretty sure the way we handled things last year, we’ll stay consistent with that,” said Warriors star Steph Curry. He was backed up by his main rival, LeBron James.

“It’s typical of him. I’m not surprised. I mean, no matter who wins this series, no one wants the invite anyway,” James said when asked about the Eagles saga.

Why are they really so resistant to visiting the White House?

“You know, it’s a lot of things that we believe in as Americans that we don’t feel that he’s for,” James continued. “It’s a lot of people that believe that he’s not for the people or doing things that’s right by the people.”

Piturec: AFP

Without the Eagles’ visit to occupy his schedule overnight, Mr Trump replaced the event with a “Celebration of America”, where the United States Marine Band and United States Army Chorus performed.

“We love our country, we respect our flag and we always proudly stand for the national anthem,” Mr Trump told the Eagles fans who still showed up, despite the absence of their team.

“I want to take this opportunity to explain why young Americans stand for our national anthem. Maybe it’s about time that we understood. We stand to honour our military and to honour our country and to remember the fallen heroes who never made it back home. We stand to show our love for our fellow citizens and our magnificent constitution.

“Our country has never done better than it’s doing right now, never.”