Megan Rapinoe thinks former President Donald Trump was out for her because he’s actually a secret fan, she told Time magazine in a new interview.
The national football legend, a longtime and vocal Trump critic, famous clash with the former president in 2019 after saying she “wouldn’t go to the goddamn White House” if she got the traditional invitation to do so after the World Cup tournament.
Trump lashed out on Twitter, writing: “I am a huge fan of the USA team and women’s soccer, but Megan has to WIN before she PRACTICES! Finish the job!” He also criticized Rapinoe – who stood in silent protest during the national anthem – accusing her of disrespecting her country and its flag.
Rapinoe thinks it comes down to Trump being an admirer.
“You know he watched that game,” she told Time. “You know he had his McDonald’s lined up. And he was probably like, “You know what, I like that.” I always felt that Trump loved me.”
Rapinoe and her team did win the World Cup. She and a U.S. Soccer official told Time that the Trump White House returned an invite afterwards, but they declined.
Trump representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“I’m exactly what they know and feel comfortable with, just packaged differently,” Rapinoe said of her haters in general. “But I’m just the brash, arrogant athlete that Americans love.”
Rapinoe, who is gay, is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, as well as racial and gender equality. During the day an interview from 2019she described herself as “a walking protest when it comes to the Trump administration” because of “everything I stand for”.
The Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup champion announced on Saturday that she would retire at the end of this National Women’s Soccer League season. She will again go to the World Cup with the US women’s team on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.