After Vice President Mike Pence walked out during the start of an NFL football game on Sunday, questions were raised as to whether or not the incident was planned in advance. As speculation grew, Donald Trump was quick to confirm what took place.
Trump on Pence
The feud between Donald Trump and the National Football League (NFL) started last month while the president was campaigning in Alabama for Luther Strange. During his speech to those in attendance, the former host of "The Apprentice" highlighted the ongoing national anthem protests taking place before games, before labeling those who take a knee as a "son of a bitch." Going a step further, Trump even called on team owners to fire any player who decided to protest.
The issue quickly made headlines, dominating the news coverage in both the political and sports world. Athletes from various sports spoke out against Trump, with NBA star LeBron James referring to the president as a "bum." Trump would continue his bickering on social media, which led into the Indianapolis Colts vs San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday afternoon. Mike Pence was in attendance, but quickly walked out following the national anthem protests, while taking to social media to voice his opposition. As seen on his Twitter account on October 9, Trump confirmed what many already thought about what took place.
The trip by @VP Pence was long planned. He is receiving great praise for leaving game after the players showed such disrespect for country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2017
Taking to his Twitter account on Monday morning, Donald Trump announced that Mike Pence's walkout during the NFL game was pre-planned for sometime, confirming critics' suspicions that it was all a Pr Stunt.
"The trip by @VP Pence was long planned," Trump tweeted out, before adding, "He is receiving great praise for leaving game after the players showed such disrespect for country!" As expected, the reaction to the entire incident came down along partisan lines, with conservatives supporting the vice president, and liberals quick to point out the apparent political agenda.
Taxpayer cost
According to a report by CNN, Mike Pence's trip on Air Force One to the NFL game cost taxpayers $242,500, which doesn't include services for the Secret Service or other incidentals. After the game, 49ers safety Eric Reid was interviewed by reporters and he doubled down on previous criticism, saying that the protests have nothing to do with the flag or the anthem, and that Pence's walkout was nothing more than a "political stunt." As of press time, the NFL has not released an official statement on the matter.