“But I think it’s a terrible message that they’re sending.”
As Nike made former NFL player and national anthem protester, Colin Kaepernick, one of the faces of their “Just Do It” 30th anniversary campaign, President Donald Trump didn’t shy away from commenting.
Trump said Nike sent a “terrible message” using the former San Fransisco 49ers quarterback. However, he added, the business decision “is what this country is all about,” he told The Daily Caller.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3,2018
The controversy started in 2016 when Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial inequality.
The president told The Daily Caller on Tuesday that “there’s no reason” for a large athletic company like Nike to use Kapernick for their campaign.
“But I think it’s a terrible message that they’re sending and the purpose of them doing it, maybe there’s a reason for them doing it,” Trump said. “But I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent. There’s no reason for it.”
As a businessman himself, Trump said that Nike has the right as a company to make its own business decisions.
“As much as I disagree with the Colin Kaepernick endorsement, in another way — I mean, I wouldn’t have done it,” Trump said.
“In another way, it is what this country is all about, that you have certain freedoms to do things that other people think you shouldn’t do, but I personally am on a different side of it,” he added.
The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25,2017
The trip by @VP Pence was long planned. He is receiving great praise for leaving game after the players showed such disrespect for country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9,2017
Can you believe that the disrespect for our Country, our Flag, our Anthem continues without penalty to the players. The Commissioner has lost control of the hemorrhaging league. Players are the boss! https://t.co/udXP5MR8BC
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24,2017
A special message from President @realDonaldTrump about #SuperBowlSunday . ???????? #SBLII pic.twitter.com/TWgs2QB1kh
— GOP (@GOP) February 4,2018
Way to go Jerry. This is what the league should do! https://t.co/yEP1jK57xi
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27,2018
The NFL National Anthem Debate is alive and well again – can’t believe it! Isn’t it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart? The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand. First time kneeling, out for game. Second time kneeling, out for season/no pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20,2018
The NFL players are at it again – taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10,2018
….. Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10,2018
The NFL’s executive vice president of communications and public affairs, Jocelyn Moore, said in the statement:
“The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding and unity. We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities. The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action.”
The former 49ers players has not been signed by an NFL team since he opted out of his contract in March 2017 .
