On Monday, President Donald Trump told The Hill in an interview that he does not approve of the actions by the co-captain of the U.S. women's soccer team, currently playing in the World Cup in France.

Trump said he loves watching women’s soccer and thinks the players are very talented, but that Megan Rapinoe — who has described herself as a “walking protest” to Trump’s policies — has acted inappropriately by kneeling during the national anthem.

In response to Rapinoe’s protest, the United States Soccer Federation adopted a policy that requires players to stand during the anthem. She stands now, but she has received new criticism for not singing and putting her hand over her heart like other players.

Fast forward to Wednesday, when in a video shared Wednesday she dismissed a potential visit to Washington, by saying: "I'm not going to the [expletive] White House."

President Trump quickly blasted Rapinoe in a series of tweets, saying “Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job! 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 president's account deleted the original tweet in which he tagged the wrong Rapinoe account. That account holder had to quickly change her handle after gaining being attacked by a legion of new followers.

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South Carolina State University head football coach Chennis Berry joined the team in 2023 after coaching at Benedict College, a historically Black college in Columbia, South Carolina. Last year, Berry's team saw its season end in heartbreak in the Celebration Bowl and this time, it ended in triumph with a 40-38 win. (Courtesy of South Carolina State Athletics)

Credit: South Carolina State University Athletics

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Students line up after school for school buses at Sequoyah Middle School in Doraville on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The school’s principal told teachers not to talk to students about ICE, and teachers and activists are pushing back. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com