Jake Tapper: Trump condemns NFL players kneeling but won’t speak out against white supremacists

CNN host Jake Tapper said that President Trump is “once again” doing “the opposite of trying to bring us together” hours after Trump renewed attacks on NFL players who protest during the national anthem without also speaking out against this weekend’s “Unite the Right 2” rally.

Tapper on Friday accused the president of sowing division ahead of a weekend anniversary of last summer’s violent “Unite the Rally” in Charlottesville, Va. — where white supremacists clashed with counter-protest — by condemning NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem instead.

“The NFL players are at it again — taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem,” Trump tweeted on Friday, a day after several players kneeled or otherwise protested during the national anthem before preseason games.

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

Tapper said on Friday that the president is “once again seeing a divided nation and doing the opposite of trying to bring us together” by “giving a presidential megaphone to one side in a controversial cultural issue that sometimes stokes racial tensions.” 

{mosads}Trump prompted a wave of backlash over his hesitance to condemn white supremacists for the deadly rally last year, asserting at the time that there is “blame on both sides.”

“Come Sunday, white nationalists and bigots are expected to take to the street in front of the White House marking a year since the hate-filled rally in Charlottesville where Heather Heyer was killed,” the CNN host continued.

“Rather than condemn the bigots or beliefs today, the president took aim at a protest, a small group of NFL players calling attention to racial injustice and inequality last night,” Tapper added.