<
>

Trump: Rapinoe shouldn't protest during anthem

President Donald Trump said he does not think it's appropriate for a co-captain of the U.S. women's soccer team to protest during the national anthem.

Megan Rapinoe has described herself as a "walking protest" to Trump's policies.

Trump told The Hill in an interview Monday that he disagrees with her actions, but loves watching women's soccer and thinks the players are "really talented."

After Rapinoe started kneeling during the anthem, the United States Soccer Federation adopted a policy that requires players to stand during the anthem. Now she stands, but she has been criticized for not singing and putting her hand over her heart like other players.

Trump also said economics should be considered in deciding whether women's national team players should receive pay as the men.

"I think a lot of it also has to do with the economics," Trump said. "I mean who draws more, where is the money coming in. I know that when you have the great stars like [Portugal's Cristiano] Ronaldo and some of these stars ... that get paid a lot of money, but they draw hundreds of thousands of people.

"But I haven't taken a position on that at all," he added. "I'd have to look at it."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.