On Friday October 13th, 2017, President Donald J. Trump utilized his Weekly Address to explain the importance of standing for the flag.
President Trump sparked controversy in September after weighing in on the national debate over the appropriateness of refusing to stand for the flag during the national anthem. Earlier this year, Trump said he wished National Football League owners would tell players and who refused to stand for the flag to “get that son of a b*tch off the the field."
The act of kneeling has been used as a protest by some in the NFL ever since Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem to bring attention to police brutality in America. In response, NFL Fans have boycotted the league in droves for allowing disrespect towards veterans and the nation during the playing of the star-spangled banner.
President Trump’s weekly address largely focused on the self sacrifice soldiers have made in honor of America and defending the flag.
“America’s men and women in uniform have carried our flag into battle and given their lives to protect it. Our Star Spangled Banner flew above Fort McHenry in the “Dawn’s Early Light.” Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders carried it to victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill. And our heroic Marines raised it over Iwo Jima.
Every day millions of American citizens raise it, salute it, and honor it on the home front. American workers hang Old Glory above factory floors where they proudly stamp their products “Made in the USA” and more and more products are being so stamped because our economy is starting to boom. We are doing really well. Companies are moving back into the United States and far fewer will be moving out. Believe me. And it’s already happened. American schoolchildren put their hands on their hearts as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Before watching a football game, you want to see those players be proud of their country. Respect our country. Respect our flag. And respect our national anthem and we think they will. We certainly hope they will.
We honor the flag, we pay tribute to the men and women who have given everything for its defense. We renew the bonds of love and loyalty we owe to our fellow citizens—to every American who looks to the Stars and Stripes and sees woven into its fabric their past, their future, and their place in our great American family.”
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Trump’s full weekly address can be seen below.
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