Meet The Press host Chuck Todd asked U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe how she balances preaching unity while also avoiding President Trump during her appearance on the show Sunday.
Rapinoe made headlines throughout the Women’s World Cup and since their victory for bashing the president, saying she was “not going to the f—— White House” if they were to win World Cup. Trump responded to the comments, saying that they should win the tournament before commenting on whether or not she would attend a visit to the White House. Since the team’s victory, she and some of her teammates have made it clear that they don’t plan on attending a White House visit if an invitation comes.
“You were talking about at the beginning that you see an opportunity here to preach a message of unity,” Todd stated. “How do you preach unity and at the same time you don’t want to be near President Trump, and I get that, how do you do both?”
“I’m figuring that out by the day,” Rapinoe answered. “I think you inspire people.”
Todd then asked her what she would tell “a Trump supporter who loves watching you” and wants you to go to the White House.
“Yeah, I think that I would, you know, try to share our message,” Rapinoe replied. “Do you, you know, believe that all people are created equal? Do you believe that equal pay should be mandated? Do you believe that everyone should have healthcare? Do you believe that we should treat everyone with respect?”
“I think those are the basics of what we’re talking about,” she continued. “I understand people feel upset or uncomfortable. There’s I think some feelings of disrespect about the anthem protest or things that I’ve said in the past, but ultimately I think I am here open and honest. I’ve admitted mistakes. I will continue to do that. I will continue to be vulnerable and be honest and be open and want to have that conversation because I think Trump’s message excludes people that look like me and that are me, of course, but it excludes a lot of people in his base as well. And I think that he’s trying to divide so he can conquer, not unite so we can all conquer.”
Todd then asked her if there was any way she would change her mind and visit the White House.
“There’s, like, 50 policy issues that we can probably reserve and get going,” she responded.
