Megan Rapinoe Talks About Right-Wing Parents, Dad Voting For Trump: "You Guys Need Therapy"

[Ubiquitous]

U.S. women's national soccer team captain Megan Rapinoe talked about her
conservative, Fox News-watching parents during an interview published at The
Guardian on Saturday. Rapinoe, who made waves for protesting the national
anthem at recent World Cup games, expressed dismay over her accepting
parents' conservative views, joking that they need "therapy."

"I feel like I grew up with all of these lessons [about equality], but
nothing was ever spoken. No language was ever put around it. Both of my
parents should be really progressive — especially my mom — and I don't get
that they're not. I'm always saying: 'You guys should really be Democrats!'
But they're not, so what's happening?" Rapinoe told the outlet.

The athlete said that she is "very similar" to her parents, but was
dumbfounded by her father likely voting for President Donald Trump in 2016.

"I think my dad voted for Trump and I'll say: 'I don't get it. How are you
simultaneously as proud as punch of me, and watching Fox News all the time,
[who are doing] takedowns of your daughter?' That’s why I'm like: 'You guys
need to go to therapy.'"

Though there have "definitely been some dust-ups," she said, her family is
close.

"I'm very close to my family. It's not like: 'Ugh, I’m from a conservative
town and I never talk to them any more.' I talk to my parents all the time,
every day."

"And I feel like I have seen progress and growth," she added. "I would love
it if people understood you should never say racist things and be OK with gay
people, or whatever it is. But, obviously, it doesn't happen that quickly."

In May, Rapinoe told Yahoo! Sports that she'll "probably never put [her] hand
over my heart" for the national anthem again. The next month, when the U.S.
faced off against Thailand, the forward indeed refused to place her hand over
her heart during the airing of the "Star-Spangled Banner." According to
Rapinoe, the protest was an "F you" to "sexist," "racist," and "small-minded"
Trump.

"I feel like it's kind of defiance in and of itself to just be who I am and
wear the jersey, and represent it. Because I'm as talented as I am, I get to
be here, you don't get to tell me if I can be here or not," she said. "So
it's kind of a good ‘F you' to any sort of inequality or bad sentiments that
the [Trump] administration might have towards people who don't look exactly
like him. Which, God help us if we all looked like him. Scary. Really scary.
Ahh, disturbing," Rapinoe added.

In a video interview posted by Eight by Eight's at the end of June, Rapinoe
scoffed at the idea of accepting an invitation from the president to the
White House if the national team were to win the World Cup (which it
eventually did).

"I'm not going to the f***ing White House," she said. "No. I'm not going to
the White House. … We're not gonna be invited. I doubt it."


WATCH:

“I’m not going to the fucking White House.” - @mPinoe
pic.twitter.com/sz1ADG2WdT

— Eight by Eight (@8by8mag) June 25, 2019

Trump quickly responded to Rapinoe via Twitter, writing in a series of
tweets, "Women's soccer player, [Megan Rapinoe] just stated that she is 'not
going to the F...ing White House if we win.' Other than the NBA, … leagues
and teams love coming to the White House. I am a big fan of the American
Team, and Women's Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish
the job! We haven't yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the
TEAM, win or lose."

"Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag,
especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the
Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!" the president added.


--
Watching Democrats come up with schemes to "catch Trump" is like
watching Wile E. Coyote trying to catch Road Runner.

[Ubiquitous]