Life

Trump Jr. is trying to tarnish Rippon as the latest ungrateful minority athlete

Trump Jr. is trying to tarnish Rippon as the latest ungrateful minority athlete
Adam Rippon Photo: Instagram

The Trump family prizes loyalty above all else, even at the expense of truth and patriotism. How else to explain Donald Trump Jr.’s attack on Olympic medalist Adam Rippon? In a tweet, Trump went after the skater for his criticism of Mike Pence.

Of course, strictly on a factual basis—never a major consideration in Trumplandia—the tweet is a lie. Mike Pence tweeted about Rippon twice in an effort to make himself look good after Rippon said he wasn’t interested in meeting with the VP.

What’s more disturbing, though, is that Trump is attacking an athlete not just representing the U.S. but actually winning for it. Trump is more interested in fealty to the Administration than cheering on the American team—all of it.

Of course, that viciousness is of a piece with his dad’s attack on minority athletes in the NFL. For kneeling during the national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter, Trump has accused the players of “total disrespect for our great country.”  

It’s not exactly a surprise that Rippon would be a target. He fits the profile that the president established: a minority (gay, instead of black) athlete who disagrees with the administration’s policies.

But unlike the NFL, the Olympics is about national pride. Attacking a winning athlete competing for the U.S. would have been beyond the pale in the past. However, Trump Jr. proves that patriotism matters less than politics.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

The irony of Piers Morgan claiming offense at Omarosa calling him an antigay slur

Previous article

Here’s your daily dose of cute from gay Olympian Adam Rippon

Next article