White House Fires Back: Eagles 'Decided to Abandon Their Fans'

President Trump didn’t win the Super Bowl, but he made it clear on Monday night the White House celebration for the reigning NFL champs was his party and he’d invite who he wanted to.

As a result, the victory party planned for later today no longer has the Philadelphia Eagles on the guest list, a situation that has led to criticism from players, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, journalist Dan Rather and many others.

In the wake of the criticism, the White House released a blistering statement on Tuesday afternoon. In a statement from spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House blamed the team for Trump’s cancelation of its visit and also said “the vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans.”

According to the White House, the Eagles originally said they would be bringing a party of 81, including players, coaches and managers, to their ceremony. Then it claims that, last Friday, the team attempted to reschedule because many players had decided not to attend and asked to visit on a time when Trump would be overseas.

“The White House, despite sensing a lack of good faith, nonetheless attempted to work with the Eagles over the weekend to change the event format that could accommodate a smaller group of players,” according to the statement. “Unfortunately, the Eagles offered to send only a tiny handful of representatives, while making clear that the great majority of players would not attend the event, despite planning to be in D.C. today. In other words, the vast majority of the Eagles team decided to abandon their fans.”

As a result of all the back-and-forth, Trump decided to nix the visit entirely.

The original announcement about Trump revoking the Eagles’ invitation was made yesterday evening in a statement that was issued by the office of the press secretary, not by a tweet from the president.

“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our country,” the statement read. “The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better.”

Of course, after the news broke, the president did feel the need to tweet about it.

The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

We have had many Championship teams recently at the White House including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots, Alabama and Clemson National Champions, and many others. National Anthem & more great music today at 3:00 P.M.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

….@NASCAR and Champion @MartinTruex_Jr were recently at the White House. It was a great day for a great sport!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2018

As the statement mentioned, the Eagles were planning to send a smaller group of players and team personnel after many players—including Chris Long, Malcolm Jenkins and Torrey Smith—said they would not go to the White House as long as President Trump was in it.

The decision to send a smaller contingent was made after the team held meetings and Philadelphia owner Jeff Lurie decided he didn’t want to put his players “in a tough spot.”

Reports have varied, but it sounds like fewer than 10 players were planning to make the trip to D.C. and none of them were black.

In lieu of the White House celebration with the team, President Trump has invited the fans who were planning on attending to participate in a “different type of ceremony” that will involve the president and the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus “loudly and proudly” playing the National Anthem to pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect America.

At this point, it’s unclear how many, if any, of the invited fans will be attending the Eagle-less ceremony.

What is clear is many people with blue check marks – including players, pundits and politicians – were unimpressed with President Trump’s decision to uninvite a second team from the White House (the Golden State Warriors were the first) and weren’t afraid to share their feelings on Twitter.

Here’s a sampling:

#TheFightContinues pic.twitter.com/QWDdvZgQNL

— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) June 5, 2018

You’re complicit in PLAYING America. This is just another day at the office for you, though. Most players (and there were many players, many players…) that wanted to opt out had decided long b4 the anthem rule came down. It wasn’t discussed once in our meetings about the visit.

— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) June 5, 2018

So many lies smh
Here are some facts
1. Not many people were going to go
2. No one refused to go simply because Trump “insists” folks stand for the anthem
3. The President continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military pic.twitter.com/89GUNhJ4eE

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018

There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views. The men and women that wanted to go should’ve been able to go. It’s a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don’t want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 4, 2018

pic.twitter.com/2HUoFhVc33

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 5, 2018

This can’t be serious…. Praying before games with my teammates, well before the anthem, is being used for your propaganda?! Just sad, I feel like you guys should have to be better than this… https://t.co/kYeyH2zXdK

— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) June 5, 2018

NFL sources tell me ZERO members of the Super Bowl-winning @Eagles ? team invited to the White House ever took a knee or stayed in the locker room during the national anthem to protest police brutality/racial injustice. https://t.co/78tuKwNK9u

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 5, 2018

Trump disinvites Eagles from White House – while millions of Americans hurt. Puerto Rico suffers. Allies fret. The planet warms. He uses our National Anthem to sow disunity in what’s supposed to be the UNITED States of America. I think history will mark it as akin to McCarthyism.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) June 5, 2018

Trump wasn’t welcome at Barbara Bush’s funeral.
He’s not welcome at John McCain’s funeral.
And only 10 Eagles players were planning to attend the White House ceremony.
He’s just that much of an embarrassment. https://t.co/8mqD4LUxey

— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) June 5, 2018

I’m proud of what the @Eagles accomplished this year. I’m skipping this political stunt at the White House and just invited the Eagles to Congress. @Eagles How about a tour of the Capitol? https://t.co/niWR7zkSYx

— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) June 4, 2018

So it’s not new news several of the Eagles were participating in peaceful demonstrations during the national anthem, and weren’t interested in going to the White House. In other words, this was a political setup by Trump.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 4, 2018

Plenty of athletes refused to visit Barack Obama at the White House.

Matt Birk. Tim Thomas. Three 1972 Dolphins (Obama honored their perfect season). Seemingly all of NASCAR.

Obama never threw a fit and uninvited teams or athletes to save face like Trump did with the Eagles.

— Adam Best (@adamcbest) June 5, 2018

I’m proud of the Eagles on & off the field. Our players represent the diversity of our nation—a nation where we’re free to express our opinions. Disinviting them only proves the President is not a true patriot.

City Hall is always open for a celebration. https://t.co/kU7LZkBNin

— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) June 5, 2018

Trump disinvited Superbowl winning Philly Eagles to the White House over concerns some of the players had refused to come. In related news, Becky Sullivan won’t go to the dance on Saturday if Shelley is showing up, even if she apologizes for what she said about her hair.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 5, 2018