Former President Donald Trump shared his strong opinions about the U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) and Megan Rapinoe, following their early elimination from the Round of 16 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup against Sweden. Using the Truth Social platform, Trump criticized both Rapinoe and the entire team, claiming they had taken a stance hostile to America.
In his remarks, Trump connected the unexpected loss to what he believed were ongoing challenges faced by the country under President Joe Biden’s administration. He cited the defeat as evidence of the nation’s decline and criticized certain players for displaying what he perceived as animosity towards America. To encapsulate his perspective, the former president used the phrase “WOKE EQUALS FAILURE.” Trump concluded his message by addressing Rapinoe directly, expressing his lament for the state of the United States and signing off with “MAGA.”
The USWNT had anticipated making history by securing their third consecutive World Cup victory, following their successes in 2015 and 2019. However, their exit in the Round of 16 was their earliest elimination from the tournament, leaving fans disappointed. The team’s decision not to sing the national anthem before matches, a departure from customary practice, also sparked controversy throughout their World Cup campaign.
During the match, Megan Rapinoe, a prominent figure in the team, faced a significant moment when she missed a penalty kick, mirroring an earlier mistake made by Sweden. Despite her track record of successful penalty kicks, Rapinoe failed to convert, which came as a surprising turn of events. It is important to note that her miss was not the sole contributing factor to the team’s loss, as other players also missed their shots during the penalty shootout.
Reflecting on the experience, Rapinoe referred to it as a “dark comedy,” announcing her retirement from international soccer after the match. Despite the disappointment, she highlighted the team’s overall performance and the joy they brought to the game. Rapinoe expressed gratitude for her career and the opportunity to contribute to the team’s accomplishments.
One of the memorable moments in Rapinoe’s World Cup career was the “equal pay” chants during the 2019 final. She emphasized that the team’s fight for broader societal change was the most gratifying aspect for her. Through their talent and dedication, the USWNT has had a profound impact on perceptions of women’s sports and has advocated for equality.