US President Donald Trump’s attempt to co-opt sprint king Usain Bolt in his feud with NFL protesters drew a stinging response on Wednesday from one group of Jamaican sports fans.
Please leave The Boss out of your politricks. https://t.co/jMi4r4ajEL
— Team Jamaica (@JamaicaOlympics) September 27, 2017
Trump had dragged Bolt into the debate on Tuesday night, tweeting a 2012 video that shows the world’s fastest man cutting off an interview so he can stand in silence for “The Star Spangled Banner”.
Even Usain Bolt from Jamaica, one of the greatest runners and athletes of all time, showed RESPECT for our National Anthem! 🇺🇸🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/zkenuAP9RS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2017
It was just one salvo in Trump’s tussle with NFL players who are using the national anthem as a vehicle for social protest.
Trump’s tirade against players who declined to stand for the anthem in a bid to draw attention to racial injustice sparked an unprecedented wave of protest across the league.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on Tuesday that his team planned to continue to show solidarity in the face of Trump’s attacks by linking arms during the anthem – and would even ask fans to join in “and show that we can be connected and we can grow together”.
Usain Bolt in 2016 on Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest: "Everyone has the right to their own opinion." https://t.co/9UjzUNq6Ne pic.twitter.com/QZgzmoAglF
— Cristiano Lima (@ludacristiano) September 27, 2017
Trump's pinned tweet is essentially saying, if this negro Bolt can show deference, these negroes here better. https://t.co/hqWsKYDidd
— profloumoore (@loumoore12) September 27, 2017
Trump had to pull out 5 year old clip of Usain Bolt & try to make it look current. I'd love to hear Bolt's comments TODAY on #TakeAKnee https://t.co/fxfwUrw832
— Cathy Holland (@cathymholland) September 27, 2017
Trump probably just found out who Usain Bolt is 5 minutes ago pic.twitter.com/j4MJsHOM3O
— D.T. (@Darlene26811165) September 27, 2017
Pretty sure Trump learned about Usain Bolt's existence 10 minutes ago
— old peasant man (@shawist) September 27, 2017