Did the U.S. Women’s National soccer team (USWNT) lose in the World Cup because a cloud of vengeful karma rained down defeat on the American athletes after they displayed insufficient patriotism?
Is that what happened to this famous team that has brought the United States such international acclaim and been a source of such patriotic pride and inspiration, especially for American girls, as it won the previous two World Cups?
That’s what former President Donald Trump asked his followers to believe, as he ranted about the Americans loss to Sweden on penalty kicks. Trump took special aim at American star and social justice activist Megan Rapinoe, who missed her kick for the American side in a 5-4 losing PK tally. “Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!!” Trump wrote.
Trump claimed the American side, which dominated play, but failed to score, is “emblematic of what is happening to our once great nation.” The former President proceeded to knock Joe Biden and claim that some U.S. players were “openly hostile to America,” implying that the “woke” priorities of many of the team’s players invited failure.
But if anything was “emblematic” about the loss, it was the dichotomy of the reactions to it along political lines — and what that discrepancy says about the cultural and political divisions in the country, especially at the top of the two main political parties.
Trump’s former rival for the presidency, Hillary Clinton, delivered a very different narrative on the USWNT’s loss, placing it in context, and characterizing success as a goal only temporarily obstructed — “this team will come back better and stronger.” Clinton also doubled down on the pride Americans, and especially American women, can take from the team’s effort.
They will come back stronger, Clinton predicted, “because that’s what American women do.”
I’m forever proud of our #USWNT. This team will come back better and stronger, because that’s what American women do. 💚⚽️🇺🇸
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 6, 2023
President Biden also congratulated the team. “You’ve made your country proud,” he wrote.” Congratulations on an incredible run. This team is something special and I’m looking forward to seeing how you continue to inspire Americans with your grit and determination – on and off the field.”
.@USWNT, you’ve made your country proud.
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 6, 2023
Congratulations on an incredible run. This team is something special and I’m looking forward to seeing how you continue to inspire Americans with your grit and determination – on and off the field. https://t.co/XWitTB3Gl4
