As has been the case in years past, the current Stanley Cup champions of the National Hockey League (NHL) met with the sitting President of the United States at the White House. This year it's the Pittsburgh Penguins meeting Donald Trump, which didn't over well across social media.
Trump and NHL
Over the last three weeks, Donald Trump's feud with the National Football League (NFL) has dominated the headlines in both the political and sports world. It started when the former host of "The Apprentice" attacked the players who protest the national anthem before games, calling them a "son of a bitch." Trump went even further and called on team owners to fire the players who participate in the protests, resulting in massive backlash from various athletes.
In addition, Trump took to Twitter to bash NBA player Stephen Curry for refusing to come to the White House with the basketball champion Golden State Warriors, prompting the president to dis-invite the team. Despite this, the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL went forward with the plan to meet Trump and did so on October 10, as reported by CBS News.
NOW: Pres. Trump hosts Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins at White House https://t.co/p5m1dl9ol8 pic.twitter.com/pYaph7M5We
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 10, 2017
Donald Trump greeted members of the NHL champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, and praised many of the players for the success they had in the previous season. Despite this, the president appeared to commit a slight blunder when praising the team, saying, "You are true true champions and incredible patriots." Of the 23 players in attendance, only nine were American.
Trump just invited the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins to renegotiate NAFTA.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) October 10, 2017
In addition, Donald Trump went on to jokingly ask the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ron Burkle, if he'd be willing to help renegotiate NAFTA and other trade deals for the United States. As expected, the reaction to the team's meeting with the president didn't go over well with many on Twitter.
Twitter reacts
As the Stanley Cup champions met with Donald Trump, critics of the administration fired back. "@realDonaldTrump the players of #PittsburghPenguins don't want center stage I can tell by looks on their faces that they don't like u either," one tweet read.
Wanna thank POTUS for giving us a new reason to hate the Pittsburgh Penguins.
— John Gonzalez (@_JohnGonz) October 10, 2017
Some of the players at the Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be avoiding coming up to the podium. Trump is instead going to them to shake hands
— Alexander Quon (@AlexanderQuon) October 10, 2017
The Pittsburgh Penguins should be incredibly ashamed. You’ve just endorsed every hate-filled statement #Trump has ever made. @penguins
— A.dot.Hay. (@lexaEhayes713) October 10, 2017
"The Pittsburgh Penguins should be incredibly ashamed.
You’ve just endorsed every hate-filled statement #Trump has ever made," one Twitter user wrote. "Some of the players at the Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be avoiding coming up to the podium. Trump is instead going to them to shake hands," another social media user noted.
What an EMBARRASSING man to ha e as the potus,Even more embarrassing for those standing behind him smiling! Shame on you Pittsburgh Penguins
— #Resist #NeverHate (@stevenoct204) October 10, 2017
Trump to Pittsburgh Penguins: "You are true true champions and incredible patriots." Notable that by my count, 9 or 23 players are Americans
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) October 10, 2017
"What an EMBARRASSING man to ha e as the POTUS ,Even more embarrassing for those standing behind him smiling! Shame on you Pittsburgh Penguins," an additional tweet read. As the negative reaction continued, it only added to the ongoing feud between Donald Trump and the world of sports.
