Bias Watch

Candace Owens came for Megan Rapinoe & didn’t get the response she expected

Megan Rapinoe (15) of USA prepares corner kick during Tournament of Nations game against Australia at Pratt & Whitney stadium
Megan Rapinoe (15) of USA prepares corner kick during Tournament of Nations game against Australia at Pratt & Whitney stadium Photo: Shutterstock

Candace Owens is an inflammatory right wing pundit who loves trolling Twitter. She has scores of fans on the right – especially among Trump supporters.

Megan Rapinoe is an out soccer player and Olympic gold medalist who advocates for women’s and LGBTQ rights and she also has legions of fans – on both the left and the right. As Owens found out the hard way.

Related: Just some of reigning king Lil Nas X’s best moments trolling Twitter

The American soccer team lost to Canada and Owens decided to mock the loss, calling Rapinoe “an anti-American piece of trash.” Rapinoe has kneeled before games as the national anthem is played in solidarity with players throughout sports demanding racial justice.

The national anthem is not played before an Olympic sporting event, but that didn’t stop Owens from spouting off. Responding to a tweet from U.S. Soccer’s Women’s National Team that called the loss “heartbreaking but hard-fought,” Owens replied that it was “not heartbreaking at all.”

She added that Rapinoe “does not represent our country, anywhere, ever. Any person who disrespects the the [sic] flag that sons and daughters are sent home beneath while fighting for our freedoms overseas, deserves to lose.”

“Repeatedly.”

Rapinoe, who won a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics, is among the most popular women athletes in the nation and her fans run the gamut of political persuasions. Liberal fans quickly shot back, mocking Owens faux outrage. But conservatives quickly called her out for attacking an Olympic athlete and abandoning patriotism.

And then the veterans stepped in. Then international soccer fans piled on.

“Oh god,” Roger Yang replied. “She won two world cups and a Olympic gold medal for your country. What have you done?”

“You do know there are no anthems played at the beginning of games at the Olympics right? The kneeling has nothing to do with your flag or anyone else’s,” Heather Simpkin tweeted. “The whole Canadian team knelt too. What are you on about?”

“Combat vet here,” another user added. “I dont agree with the message nor the points said message is based on, but that’s how freedom of speech do @RealCandaceO. Dont matter if I like it, they’ve a right to say it.”

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

Matt Damon says he didn’t tell his daughter a “f****t” joke in response to outcry

Previous article

Teen punished for saying she’s a lesbian on the school bus gets actual justice

Next article