A decades-long custom of the White Home welcoming the season’s NFL championship workforce shortly turned political within the days main as much as the Philadelphia Eagles being honored by President Donald Trump on Monday. Within the face of public scrutiny about quarterback Jalen Hurts, who didn’t attend the Eagles ceremony (amongst a number of others), and working again Saquon Barkley, who notably frolicked with Trump the day earlier than, the president was conciliatory of each gamers.
Regardless of hypothesis that Hurts and different teammates declined to attend the White Home ceremony because of political opposition of the administration, President Trump praised Hurts as a “star quarterback” and “terrific man and a terrific participant.”
Trump was extra flattering towards Saquon Barkley, whom he invited to experience with him on Air Power One on Sunday and performed golf on the president’s New Jersey golf course. Barkley was entrance and heart among the many Eagles throughout Monday’s ceremony on the South Garden the place tons of have been gathered and theGrio was current.
“We beloved being collectively. He’s an amazing younger man and an unimaginable soccer participant,” Trump mentioned of 28-year-old Barkley, who he mentioned was a “nice golfer,” however a “a lot better soccer participant.”
Regardless of Trump’s congenial tone on the White Home on Monday, Barkley continues to face backlash for going past the standard White Home go to and selecting to spend prolonged time with the president. The soccer star sought to defend his choice in a publish on X, explaining that he respects the workplace of the president, no matter who occupies it.
“Lol some persons are actually upset trigger I performed golfed and flew to the White Home with the PRESIDENT,” he posted. “Possibly I simply respect the workplace, not a tough idea to know. Simply golfed with Obama not too way back…and stay up for ending my spherical with Trump ! …get out my mentions with all this politics and have wonderful day,” wrote Barkley, who famous he additionally not too long ago golfed with former President Barack Obama.
“Within the present local weather, given the quantity of animus and vitriol and divisiveness of this final election cycle, and particularly what has occurred in these first few months of the Trump administration, standing with or in opposition to the president is sort of vital to know individuals’s beliefs and values this president,” mentioned Cameron Trimble, founding father of Hip-Politics and a former Biden White Home official.
Trimble instructed theGrio that whereas Saquon Barkley has a proper to satisfy with the president, “This isn’t a time given the seriousness of all that’s occurring in politics and on this nation, to the place you may be willfully ignorant to what’s going on.” He continued, “Politics apart, there are real-world implications, even in his metropolis, the town of Philadelphia, being massively impacted, and so fraternizing and exhibiting any type of help or lending their platform to Trump, whether or not they notice it or not, [Trump’s] leveraging them to advance his agenda.”
The previous Biden official mentioned that Barkley dangers alienating many followers if he continues to indicate help for Trump at a time when his administration is making large cuts to federal spending that’s impacting tens of millions, together with mass firings. Trimble mentioned different actions just like the “erasure of Black historical past” are notably troubling.
“He’s taking artifacts out of the Smithsonian, erasing the legacy of Black and [other] minorities, taking out any DEI-related phrases out of the lexicon of federal companies…I believe individuals really feel that any affiliation with him is seen as implicit or specific help,” he defined.
As for Jalen Hurts, Trimble mentioned it’s not stunning how the NFL star has dealt with his duty as a public determine and workforce chief.
“The quarterback is usually seen as a very powerful place in sports activities and the chief of the workforce, and for him to face up and have his ethical compass not permit him to shed any gentle or give any of his platform to Trump, is admirable,” he mentioned. Nevertheless, whereas many could also be praising Hurts, Trimble cautioned it may make him a “greater goal” amongst MAGA supporters.
Nonetheless, he famous that the nation has a “wealthy historical past” of athletes “wading into politics” courting again to the Nineteen Sixties throughout the Civil Rights Motion.
“I applaud Jalen for having the braveness to make an announcement,” mentioned Trimble.
