Adrian Fedkiw
It’s the day the Philadelphia Eagles were scheduled to visit the White House following their Super Bowl LII win in February, but President Donald Trump rescinded their invitation Monday and the White House criticized the team on Tuesday.
Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated that the Eagles decided to “abandon their fans.”
The White House releases statement on change of format for today's event: "The vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans” https://t.co/SZoFYAgEFc pic.twitter.com/BbNzr3nRTM
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 5, 2018
Sanders explained that the team notified the White House last Thursday that 81 members would be attending, including players, coaches and managers. She said the team attempted to reschedule late on Friday due to a lack of representatives.
Here was Trump’s initial message following the cancellation on Monday.
Statement by the President
The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony – one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem. I will be there at 3:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America.
The Eagles released a statement later on Monday.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 5, 2018
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney had the Eagles’ back.
Philly mayor Jim Kenney's statement is pointed.
After President Trump disinvited the #Eagles to the White House, Kenney calls him "a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend." pic.twitter.com/90pHhIR4SU
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) June 5, 2018
Trump is turning Tuesday’s event into a “Celebration of America.” The United States Marine Band and United States Army Chorus will play the national anthem for approximately 1,000 Eagles fans at the White House beginning at 3 p.m.
We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018
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