President Trump continued his criticism of NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality Friday, and questioned the decision by some networks to not broadcast the anthem in response to the controversy.
[Related: Trump reignites feud with NFL over national anthem protests]
“What the hell is the NFL doing? What are they doing? Do they not have a clue? It’s hurt them badly too,” Trump, who frequently uses the anthem protest debate to rile his base, said at the Ohio Republican Party’s annual state dinner.
Trump then attacked CBS and ESPN, who confirmed this month they would not televise the anthem, in line with the same approach they’ve taken in recent years.
“Can you imagine? They’re not going to broadcast the national anthem,” Trump said.
Trump’s remarks come days after a video featuring Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz for his Texas Senate seat, went viral for his remarks defending the protests.
O’Rourke said there was “nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee, for your rights, anytime, anywhere, or any place.”
‘I can think of nothing more American.’ — Beto O’Rourke — the man taking on Ted Cruz — brilliantly explains why NFL players kneeling during the anthem is not disrespectful pic.twitter.com/bEqOAYpxEL
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 21, 2018
[Also read: Deflated: NFL popularity at new low, just 3 in 10 are ‘favorable’]
