President Trump slammed a CNN report Monday that alleged White House chief of staff John Kelly was not happy the president picked a fight with the NFL over players who refuse to stand during the national anthem in protest of police brutality.
“.@CNN is #FakeNews,” Trump tweeted Monday. “Just reported COS (John Kelly) was opposed to my stance on NFL players disrespecting FLAG, ANTHEM, COUNTRY. Total lie!”
Earlier, CNN reported the retired U.S. Marine Corps general and former Trump administration Homeland Security Secretary voiced his concern over the racial undertones of the debate triggered by the president, two sources told the outlet.
“General John Kelly totally agrees w/ my stance on NFL players and the fact that they should not be disrespecting our FLAG or GREAT COUNTRY!” Trump continued. “Tremendous backlash against the NFL and its players for disrespect of our Country. #StandForOurAnthem????????”
Kelly, whose military experience was meant to usher in a period of order and stability in the West Wing after the departure of his embattled predecessor Reince Priebus, was with Trump on Friday when he appeared at a rally in Alabama in support of GOP Senate run-off candidate Luther Strange.
“We are proud of our country. We respect our flag,” Trump said at the event held for the Republican establishment favorite. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. He is fired. He’s fired!'”
The comments caught Kelly off-guard as they were not in the president’s prepared remarks, an official told CNN.
Kelly has declined to talk about Trump’s off-the-cuff statements, with other staffers confident the clash will blow over.
Trump has since perpetuated the fiery discussion over the issue, calling on fans to boycott the NFL in a Sunday morning tweet, prompting athletes and teams to kneel or link arms during “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a host of weekend sporting fixtures.
