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Donald Trump says US women's soccer team captain Megan Rapinoe should 'win before she talks' after she shut down a potential visit to the White House

Alan Dawson   

Donald Trump says US women's soccer team captain Megan Rapinoe should 'win before she talks' after she shut down a potential visit to the White House

Trump on Phone
  • Donald Trump has challenged the US Women's National Team co-captain to actually "win" the FIFA Women's World Cup before she talks about the White House.
  • Trump's message follows Rapinoe's statement on Tuesday that she's "not going to the f------ White House" should the team win.
  • It means the President and the soccer player are now locked in a strange war of words as Trump had previously said it wasn't appropriate that Rapinoe was not singing the national anthem.
  • Trump did say Wednesday that though the White House had not yet invited Megan or the team, he is now doing so, "win or lose."
  • The USWNT plays host nation France in a much-anticipated quarterfinal on June 28.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Donald Trump has said that the US Women's National Team (USWNT) co-captain Megan Rapinoe should "win before she talks" one day after she said she's "not going to the f------ White House."

Trump and soccer star Rapinoe appear locked in a strange war of words while the USWNT represents the country in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

Rapinoe is one of the team's key players, helping the squad devastate Thailand 13-0 in its opening match before a 3-0 win over Chile and a 2-0 win against Sweden 2-0, completing a flawless group performance.

The team conceded its first goal in the competition in the June 24 quarterfinal against Spain, but still won 2-1.

It has been reported that Rapinoe protested during the national anthem by not singing along. Trump was critical of this, telling The Hill that he did not think the protest was appropriate. He did, however, add that he loves women's soccer. "They're really talented," he added.

Then, in an interview tweeted by Eight by Eight magazine on Tuesday, Rapinoe said she's "not going to the f------ White House" if the national team wins, and that she doubts they would be invited anyway.

Read more: The captain of the US women's soccer team said she's 'not going to the f------ White House' if the team wins the World Cup

Now, Trump has fired back. "Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!," he tweeted on Wednesday.

"We haven't yet 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 and the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!"

Megan Rapinoe, a member of the United States women's national soccer team, speaks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Friday, May 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Trump had sent the message once already on Twitter, but had mistakenly tagged the wrong Megan Rapinoe after failing to spell her name correctly.

The post has since been deleted, but the account seemingly noticed the tag from the President when its replies were "popping off."

The alternative @meganrapino account said: "She was right to say so cry me a river, plus this isn't even her acc."

The USWNT plays host nation France in a much-anticipated quarterfinal on June 28. The semifinals take place next week, ahead of the tournament final on July 7.

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