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Trump launches petition to force ‘spineless’ ESPN to air national anthem

President Trump has started a petition that urges his followers to denounce ESPN’s “spineless” move to no longer air the national anthem before NFL games this season.

“Just after we heard a sitting governor trash America, ESPN has now decided it will no longer play the National Anthem before Monday Night Football,” Trump says in an email sent out by the Trump Make America Great Again Committee on Wednesday.

The line is referring to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) remarks last week that “America was never that great,” comments he later walked back.

{mosads}“If ‘America’ is too offensive for anyone in our country, then what are they doing in America?” Trump’s letter continued.

The email arrives on the heels of ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro’s announcement on Friday stating that the sports network will not show “The Star-Spangled Banner” before NFL games this season. 

“We generally have not broadcasted the anthem and I don’t think that will change this year. Our plan going into this year is to not broadcast the anthem,” Pitaro said at the time.

“Again that could change. It’s unpredictable what could happen in the world but as of now, we’re not,” Piatro continued. “We have communicated that back to the [NFL]. They have not asked but as a courtesy and good partners, we have let them know what our plans are.”

The NFL’s preseason games are already underway, and the regular season begins on Sept. 6.

“I’m calling on you to join me in denouncing this SPINELESS surrender to the politically correct liberal mob,” Trump’s petition reads. “I was the first person to sign this petition. Now I need you to follow my lead and be the second.” 

The letter signed by Trump also links to the petition and instructs supporters to sign it “by 11:59 PM tonight to get on the list of supporters that stood with me and told ESPN to play America’s anthem.”

Trump has repeatedly blasted athletes who kneel in protest during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” calling for them to be fired. The league’s efforts to deal with the problem — such as allowing players to stay in the locker-room while the national anthem is played — have not satisfied him.

Tags Donald Trump

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