Conservative pundit Megyn Kelly slammed soccer star Megan Rapinoe for her lack of patriotism during the Women’s World Cup.
During the recent tournament, the U.S. women’s soccer team stood silently as the national anthem played. Kelly blasted the team, particularly the blue-haired Rapinoe, for poisoning the squad’s morale.
“Megan Rapinoe, she’s the leader of all this,” she told listeners of her podcast “The Megyn Kelly Show” on Tuesday. “She’s not a starter. So that’s why she’s not on camera when they’re doing the national anthem, but she’s behind a lot of this.”
Rapinoe has drawn criticism for her past statements in support of Black Lives Matter, including kneeling in solidarity with former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem, as well as for supporting the right of transgender people to compete alongside people who are not of the same biological sex in sports.
“She’s poisoned the entire team against the country for which they play,” Kelly said. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not rooting for them. I’m not with them. I hope they lose … It’s shameful.”
In addition, the former Fox News anchor chastised players for “celebrating out there like they’ve just won the whole thing” after the team barely avoided elimination in the group stage with a scoreless draw against underdog Portugal on Tuesday.
“They’re making fools of themselves,” Kelly said. “They won’t sing the national anthem, half of them won’t put their hands over their hearts, even the ones who are singing are half-assing it.”
“They clearly don’t want to be doing it. I mean, they look like they don’t even want to be there,” she continued. “It’s like some sort of inconvenience to be representing the USA.”
It was the squad’s worst performance in the World Cup group play so far, but Trinity Rodman and Kelley O’Hara still celebrated with fans postgame –– taking photos and signing autographs. Other sports analysts also condemned the premature commemoration.
“I have never witnessed something like that. There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family,” said Fox Sports Carli Lloyd. “But to be dancing, to be smiling. I mean, the player of the match was that post. You were lucky to not be going home right now.”
