Trump Urges Fans to Boycott WNBA Over Anthem Walk-Offs

Former President Donald Trump has urged fans to stop watching the WNBA if players continue to leave the court during the national anthem. His comments came during a rally in Iowa on Thursday night, where he addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, who have remained in the locker room during "The Star-Spangled Banner" for the WNBA Finals.

"What's going on with the Women's NBA?" Trump asked the crowd, who responded with boos. "They'll destroy themselves before they get started. Because they just started to do good." He specifically referenced Caitlin Clark, whose popularity has boosted the league's visibility, suggesting the league's actions could undermine its recent growth.

Trump drew a parallel to the National Football League (NFL), recalling the backlash and decreased viewership that followed player protests during the anthem, initiated by Colin Kaepernick in 2016. "The NFL did that for a while and they stopped because people stopped watching the games," he stated. "So I think you should do the same thing with women's basketball."

Trump also criticized NBA star LeBron James on his social media platform, Truth Social, for what he described as James practicing his shooting motion and golf swing during the anthem before a recent game. "What the hell is that?" Trump questioned.

He is not the only Republican figure to voice criticism. Vice President JD Vance also condemned the WNBA players' actions as "disgraceful." Vance argued that players should express policy critiques without disrespecting the country and highlighted the "incredible wealth and privilege" they possess. "They have a lot to be grateful to the United States for, and I think that if they had a bit more of a spirit of gratitude, they'd be happier people," Vance said. He added that a lack of love for one's country can lead to a "disordered human being."

The WNBA's official rulebook requires players to stand and line up during the national anthem. However, for the third consecutive game in the WNBA Finals, the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries players reportedly retreated to the locker room before the anthem was performed.