Trump: NFL’s New Anthem Policy Is “Worse Than Not Standing”

The President took aim at the league at a campaign-style rally Thursday in Montana.

President Donald J. Trump listens as West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announces that he is switching parties to become a republican during the president's campaign rally at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena on August 3, 2017 in Huntington, West Virginia.
HUNTINGTON, WV - AUGUST 03: President Donald J. Trump listens as West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announces that he is switching parties to become a republican during the president's campaign rally at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena on August 3, 2017 in Huntington, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

Even though the start of the NFL season is still about two months away, President Donald Trump is already taking shots at the league that he loves to hate.

At a campaign-style rally Thursday in Montana, Trump ripped into the league’s new national anthem policy, despite the fact that it was created, at least somewhat, to appease him.

Under the terms of the policy, players are not required to be on the field for the anthem and can stay in the locker room if they do not wish to stand for it. However, If they do come on the field for the anthem, they are required to stand and show respect.

The change, designed to please people on both sides of the issue, did not please Trump.

“Look, I don’t want to cause controversy. But how about they pass this stupid thing. You don’t have to do this anymore,” Trump said on Thursday. “If you don’t respect the flag, or if you don’t like the country, or whatever it is. Just go into the locker room … I think in many respects, that’s worse. Isn’t that worse than not standing? I think that’s worse … I actually think in many ways it’s worse.”

The President then proceeded to go after the NFL’s ratings, saying people preferred “watching the cable networks instead of watching football” because they find politics and “hitting Trump” more interesting than watching a football game.

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