NBA champions won't be invited to White House, warns Donald Trump
Trump issued his snub amid a divisive controversy that resulted in the Philadelphia Eagles not making the trip to see the president as tradition usually dictates for the NFL champions
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.US president Donald Trump has said the winners of the NBA Finals, currently being contested between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, will not be invited to the White House.
Trump issued his snub amid a divisive controversy that resulted in the Philadelphia Eagles, winners of the National Football League's Super Bowl this year, not making the trip to see the president as tradition usually dictates for the NFL champions.
Only a few members of the Eagles planned to attend the Tuesday event so Trump, who has lashed out at NFL players who kneel in protest during the national anthem before games, disinvited them. No Eagles took part in last season's kneeling demonstrations, which began as a way for black players to protest police treatment of minorities.
Trump's attacks on kneeling football players always draw applause at his rallies and he has urged fans to leave a game if they see a player kneeling. A new NFL policy announced last month allows dissenting players to stay in the locker room during the national anthem but Trump said "maybe they shouldn't be in the country".
The Warriors and Cavaliers are midway through the NBA Finals, with the Warriors leading 3-0 after three games, but Trump said on Friday the winner would not be coming to the White House.
The Warriors won last year's title but Trump revoked their invitation after one of their star players, Stephen Curry, said he would vote against visiting Trump.
Curry and the Cavaliers' top player, LeBron James, already have said they would not want to make the White House trip this year.
"We're not going to invite either team," Trump told reporters at the White House.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Trump had "made it pretty clear he's going to try to divide us ... for political gain."
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments