Just when you thought her fifteen minutes of fame were up, United States women’s national team captain Megan Rapinoe is back in the news again.
It’s like that moment in “The Godfather Part 3” when Michael Corleone says “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” That notion is all of us. Just when we thought we were rid of Rapinoe, she’s back again.
But her latest comments are newsworthy because Megan Rapinoe just revealed something shocking about her parents’ political ideologies.
United States women’s national team leader Megan Rapinoe is one of President Trump’s biggest critics in all of American sports.
It all started when Rapinoe brought all of this notoriety to the team first with her “I’m not going to the f—king White House,” comment while also refusing to sing during the National Anthem.
Rapinoe opted not to sing instead of kneeling during the National Anthem, which she’s done multiple times in “solidarity” with former quarterback Colin Kaepernick during games in the National Women’s Soccer League.
On top of the political comments, their arrogance resonated throughout the world and they were heavily criticized for celebrating after every single goal when they defeated Thailand 13-0.
Following the World Cup victory, every appearance the USWNT made seemed like they had been on a drinking bender and usually, the good indicator that’s true is the fact they were all wearing sunglasses during public appearances. But all of that has disappeared over the last month. It’s old news.
You’re not hearing from any of them on a regular basis as they dominated the news for weeks in June/July.
But Rapinoe spoke candidly about her parents with the Guardian. Rapinoe revealed that they are Fox News watchers and believes they, at least her father, voted for President Trump.
When asked about how they reacted when she came out to them both as a lesbian, Rapinoe said, “I was like: “You guys need to get on board or get out.” We had some tense times, but it came down to, “You’re either in this or not.’”
That’s a strict ultimatum to give to your parents but apparently they accepted her coming out of the closet. She also noted that her parents weren’t “progressives” like her.
She added, “Both of my parents should be really progressive – especially my mom – and I don’t get that they’re not. I’m always saying: ‘You guys should really be Democrats! But they’re not, so what’s happening?’ I’m very similar to how they are, even though I think my dad voted for Trump.’”
Clearly, that rubs Rapinoe the wrong way. Why wouldn’t it? Millennials will never understand why a majority of the Baby Boomer generation supports Trump so what’s the point in trying to explain it to them?
Rapinoe also added, “I’ll say: “I don’t get it. How are you simultaneously as proud as punch of me, and watching Fox News all the time, [who are doing] takedowns of your daughter?” That’s why I’m like: “You guys need to go to therapy.”‘
Her memory must be a little fuzzy because Rapinoe started this beef on the international stage, correct? All of this would be a non-issue if she wasn’t the spark that ignited the fire, right?
She concluded, “It’s not like: ‘Ugh, I’m from a conservative town and I never talk to them any more.’ I talk to my parents all the time, every day. And I feel like I have seen progress and growth. I would love it if people understood you should never say racist things and be OK with gay people, or whatever it is. But, obviously, it doesn’t happen that quickly.”
It’s always a one-sided mindset that liberals like Rapinoe had that anybody who opposes their personal ideology needs to finally come around to theirs. The only good news to take away from this is that at least she didn’t excommunicate her parents because of her politics. That unfortunately has happened all over the country.