June 04, 2018
The Philadelphia Eagles will not be traveling to the nation's capital on Tuesday to celebrate their Super Bowl victory at the White House with President Donald Trump.
That's because Trump rescinded the invitation on Monday evening. The president released a statement explaining that the Eagles decided to send a "smaller delegation" to Washington instead of the whole team. In Trump's view, the team's light RSVP was an extension of the national anthem protests that have taken place across the NFL, though no Eagles ever took a knee.
NEW: Trump issues this statement about the Philadelphia Eagles' visit tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/sYNltyFF7r
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) June 4, 2018
Rather than the originally planned visit, the White House will now hold "a different type of ceremony" for about 1,000 Eagles fans who had arranged to be in D.C. At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus will perform the national anthem.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney slammed the president in a statement.
The Eagles call the birthplace of our democracy home, so it’s no surprise that this team embodies everything that makes our country and our city great. Their athletic accomplishments on the field led to an historic victory this year. Fans all across the country rallied behind them because we like to root for the underdog and we feel joy when we see the underdogs finally win. I’m equally proud of the Eagles’ activism off the field. These are players who stand up for the causes they believe in and who contribute in meaningful ways to their community. They represent the diversity of our nation—a nation in which we are free to express our opinions.
Disinviting them from the White House only proves that our President is not a true patriot, but a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend.
Reactions to Trump's decision, overwhelmingly negative, poured in on Twitter after the news broke.
Trump says he's canceling the Philadelphia Eagles' event at the White House, so I guess they win twice this year.
— Brandon Besserer (@BrandonBesserer) June 5, 2018
People call Trump the "divider in chief" but credit where it's due — he just got people from all walks of life to unify behind the Philadelphia effing Eagles.
— golden state warrior blond (@goldengateblond) June 4, 2018
So many lies smh
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018
Here are some facts
1. Not many people were going to go
2. No one refused to go simply because Trump “insists” folks stand for the anthem
3. The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military pic.twitter.com/89GUNhJ4eE
Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith responds to Trump's statement https://t.co/vK9ot6eBnf pic.twitter.com/x5P17uQxQV
— Axios (@axios) June 5, 2018
*Trump cancels #Eagles white house visit*
— Gayle Saunders (@EagleSessions) June 4, 2018
Eagles still winning 😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/xc78astxxm
Let's be real. Most Eagles weren't attending b/c they consider Trump a pos and didn't have to worry about ramifications from their coach or owner. Trump disinvited them to avoid embarrassing optics.
— Melissa Jacobs (@thefootballgirl) June 5, 2018
I am a huge Eagles fan and I agree with Trump's decision. If the players wanted to forward their cause, then why would they not want to meet with him to maybe get a chance to discuss their ideas?
— Displaced Eagles Fan (@FL_EaglesFan) June 5, 2018
I’m confused, who on the eagles didnt stand pic.twitter.com/UzmHgvzf5H
— C R (@Sweets11R) June 5, 2018
Even Eagles haters have at least give them a golf clap for not putting up with Trump's bullshit.
— Matt Michaels (@MattyMike0718) June 5, 2018
The real reason Trump has just canceled the visit by the Super Bowl Champ Philadelphia Eagles... #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/pSrxR1qdwq
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) June 4, 2018
People who have been invited into the White House by Donald Trump:
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) June 4, 2018
- Russian spies
- North Korean spies
People who have been banned from the White House by Donald Trump:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Steph Curry
Plenty of athletes refused to visit Barack Obama at the White House.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) June 5, 2018
Matt Birk. Tim Thomas. Three 1972 Dolphins (Obama honored their perfect season). Seemingly all of NASCAR.
Obama never threw a fit and uninvited teams or athletes to save face like Trump did with the Eagles.
Trump: the eagles aren’t welcomed at the White House
— Bryan Bienemy (@BryanTNR) June 4, 2018
Eagles: we wasn’t coming anyway pic.twitter.com/Z5X9JTT85L
Not invited to the Trump White House:
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) June 4, 2018
NBA Champion Golden State Warriors
NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles
Invited to the Trump White House: pic.twitter.com/1rljkTkkX3
I think the @Eagles should show up anyway. It isn’t Donald Trump’s house. Im a little irritated it is being treated that way. Book a tour of it en masse-thatll really piss him off and frankly remind everyone the WH is the property of the people.
— rebbrad (@39red3939) June 5, 2018
Yo @kanyewest, are you going to the be the entertainment for Trump's non Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl celebration tomorrow? I'm sure the 'fans' will love it...
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) June 4, 2018
Grew up w/ the Cowboys as “America’s Team”™️ & mine, & I’m grown enough to know that the Champion Eagles’ being disinvited by #CadetBoneSpurs is a yuge win for Philadelphia & reminder that Birther fraudster @realDonaldTrump is a disgrace & a stain upon this nation. #TakeAKnee
— Thomas Stratton (@ThomasLStratton) June 5, 2018
Of course I disinvited the Eagles to the White House because they committed animal cruelty when they beat my good friend The G.O.A.T. pic.twitter.com/thTbiUF4kH
— President Trump (@Writeintrump) June 5, 2018
Eagles should announce Trump & his moronic supporters aren't welcome at the Linc.
— Dave (@eaglesdiehard) June 4, 2018
Dissing the Philadelphia Eagles is a pretty bold strategy from a guy that won Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes by less than 50k votes. But hey Eagles fans aren't known for holding a grudge or anything
— ian (@ahandleforian) June 5, 2018
Got to speculate that Trump hates the Eagles since they won the Super Bowl without cheating...
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) June 4, 2018
My one observation re Trump/Eagles: This is quite a way to try to win Pennsylvania again in 2020.
— Al Weaver (@alweaver22) June 4, 2018
@realDonaldTrump @MalcolmJenkins @JOEL9ONE pic.twitter.com/P0deunzkRx
— Cold Cold Friend (@art_raws) June 5, 2018
If the @Eagles want to get back at Trump for his stupid and patently obvious pandering to his base, they should... do nothing. Don’t respond via a statement or tweet. Pretend it didn’t happen. It’ll be a bigger blow to Trump’s ego than any response they’d issue.
— Normal Collar (@pmc1423) June 5, 2018
The 1000 Eagles fans: "Ummm...can we un-RSVP?"#NFL #Trump
— Manlympian (@Manlympian) June 5, 2018
Trump says the Eagles are Fake News and it’s time to tackle the issues!
— Cameron Grant (@coolghost101) June 5, 2018
#Eagles pic.twitter.com/ro2VIbV2xz
Your Tweet is factually false. No Eagle took a knee. All are very Patriotic and love this country. Protests were not about flag or the military. But why bother w/ facts when you're spreading Trump's BS. Trump tried to get in NFL as owner four times and failed..he hates NFL.
— Al Thompson (@thompsonIII) June 5, 2018
