Donald Trump, sit this one out

In an effort to become relevant again, The Former Guy released another declaration From the Depths of Donald Trump. This one concerned the Olympic bronze-medal soccer performance of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT).

First the man who lost the last Presidential election by 7 million popular votes and 74 electoral votes informed his readers that the U.S. women’s soccer team was “woke” and that “Woke means you lose.” (Since he claims to be the opposite of “woke,” how did he lose so badly himself?)

Of course, in the back of his mind, Trump probably thought it was weak that the women’s soccer team accepted their semi-final loss with equanimity and grace, without bellyaching that the game was rigged, that the other side cheated – and the refs were in on it. Nor did the USWNT demand a review of all the goals and uncalled fouls or attempt to force a replay of the game. Finally, they did not work their legions of fans up into a frenzy and have them storm the Olympic facilities looking to hang officials who did not give in to their demands.

Without any factual basis or evidence (surprise!), Trump alleged that Megan Rapinoe and others had knelt during the U.S. National Anthem before the game. Turns out not to be true (of course). A while ago, the women’s team had ceased kneeling during the anthem, instead opting to kneel at a different time before the game, in a silent protest for racial justice. Trump (and some of his supporters) allowed as how they were rooting against the U.S. Women and were glad they lost.

Here’s a quick guide for those fake patriots who may be thinking of commenting on USWNT players or other athletes kneeling before a game or match and claiming it is unpatriotic to do so in an international sporting competition. If you do or have done any of the following, sit this one out – you are disqualified from commenting:

— If you display, or support those who display, the Confederate flag;

— If you support a man who tried to subvert the Constitution of the United States by attempting to prevent the peaceful transfer of Presidential power, a hallmark of our democracy;

— If you have stirred up, participated in, or failed to strongly and unequivocally condemn an insurrection against the United States of America;

— If you are OK with efforts to overturn election results that have been certified by the appropriate election authorities in various states;

— If you sided with a foreign adversary on an international stage against U.S. intelligence professionals in assessing whether that adversary interfered with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election – or condoned the man who did so;

— If you believe that Americans shouldn’t publicly express the need to make America better, but proudly wear a Make America Great Again hat in public;

— If you voted not to impeach (House) or not to convict (Senate) a seditionist President who sought to dismantle the electoral process, or supported such votes;

— If you rooted against an American athlete or team competing in an international competition due to their political views.

In short, if you are Trump or a Trump supporter or apologist, forget the fake patriotism. Sit this one out — you are disqualified from commenting.