Trump “shocked” by Drew Brees comments, thinks he’ll regret them

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 19, 2020, 4:53 AM EDT
Getty Images

President Trump sees NFL players kneeling during the national anthem as a winning campaign issue for him, even if it means taking on one of the league’s most popular players.

For the second day in a row on Thursday, Trump brought up Drew Brees and criticized his decision to apologize for equating kneeling during the anthem with disrespect for America. Echoing comments he had made Wednesday on FOX News, Trump said Thursday in an “interview” with his son Donald Trump Jr. that he thinks Brees gave in to pressure and put out a statement that he doesn’t really believe.

“I was shocked,” Trump said. “I think he hurt himself very badly and I was going to put out that I think he’ll regret that in future years. . . . I don’t believe he believes his second statement.”

Brees’ second statement came after several long discussions with teammates and friends around the league, and there’s no reason to think he didn’t genuinely have a change of heart. But with the presidential campaign heating up, expect to hear much more such criticism from Trump.

Permalink 53 Comments Feed for comments Back to top

53 responses to “Trump “shocked” by Drew Brees comments, thinks he’ll regret them”

  1. I agree with the President. There’s no way a couple conversations changed his mind. He may have gained some knowledge but that first statement was from his heart.

  2. You would think the leader of the free world would have better things to do with his time, especially with today’s state of affairs. What a disgrace.

  4. It is just hard for me to understand why anyone would disrespect OUR FLAG, if you are a true American. I bet most of these people who will be kneeling have never ever served in the military or visited the Arlington National Cemetery either. I read all of these comments from both sides and both sides believe in what they believe. Which is awesome because of all of them have been given that right from those before them who have laid down their lives. Yes the ones that laid down their lives so we all can live free in this Great Nation. If you stand for something then stand for it and do not waiver. You have that right. In my opinion if you do waiver then you are not a true leader you are a follower.

  5. I stand with Trump and the real Americans. This kneeling thing is just a fad…just like last time. You kneel…then what? Lol such a ridiculous fad.

  6. Good to know that he is speaking about matters very important to this country such as Drew Brees comments.

  7. Unfortunately no one is shocked by “his” comments anymore. A few more months to go.

  8. Maybe someone should let Trump know that taking a knee is within a citizens first amendment constitutional right. As President, his number one job is to defend the constitution. Why is this so hard for MAGA world to understand…oh, that’s right.

  12. “and there’s no reason to think he didn’t genuinely have a change of heart.” Really? Many of the people like Trump that don’t get it hold these ideas stubbornly even in the face of strong evidence. Brees said the right thing but I have my doubts he believes it.

  13. Well, he’s probably not wrong. Let’s be honest but for the backlash, I don’t think Drew was walking those comments back the next day.

    Lost in all of this is how kneeling won’t accomplish a thing. It will become the norm and then no one will be drawn to it anymore.

  15. It’s not about the flag. Brees, now, realizes it.

    At 10:00 p.m. on December 3, 1973, a 37-year old trucker from Overland Park, Kansas named J.W. Edwards stopped his rig suddenly in the middle of Interstate I-80 near Blakeslee, Pennsylvania and picked up his CB radio microphone. The insurrection he was about to initiate was a protest over gasoline prices. He chose to shut down an interstate highway by parking his truck. He used the highway and his truck to call attention to the unfair gas prices, just as the National Anthem is being used here. He wasn’t protesting highways and trucks, although that’s the medium he chose. He was protesting gas prices and used his truck and the highway to draw attention to his cause. Is it clicking yet? It clicked for Brees.

  16. It’s all about the flag for Trump, it’s not about the movement. He says that Kaepernick should be given the opportunity to play but still disagrees with him or anyone else kneeling during the anthem. Trump has great respect for veterans who have served defending the flag. That is where he is coming from and that should be respected. His comments regarding Brees make perfect sense in that respect.

  18. Brees had nothing to apologize for. He caved to mob rule like so many others are doing these days.

  19. jac1216 says:
    June 19, 2020 at 7:36 am
    It is just hard for me to understand why anyone would disrespect OUR FLAG, if you are a true American. I bet most of these people who will be kneeling have never ever served in the military or visited the Arlington National Cemetery either. I read all of these comments from both sides and both sides believe in what they believe. Which is awesome because of all of them have been given that right from those before them who have laid down their lives. Yes the ones that laid down their lives so we all can live free in this Great Nation. If you stand for something then stand for it and do not waiver. You have that right. In my opinion if you do waiver then you are not a true leader you are a follower.

    ————-

    Perhaps above all else, we should all stand for free speech. It’s what separates us from the likes of North Korea, China, etc.

  20. The idea, from my understanding, was to bring attention to the social changes that we as a nation want to work on. Isn’t it time to stop the kneeling and DO some CONSTRUCTIVE action now?….wouldn’t that be a next step?

  21. Father served in the Navy in WWII. His brother, my uncle, gave his life in that war. Taught at a young age to fold and respect the flag given to my father at his brother’s service.

    Respectfully kneeling during the anthem does no harm to the flag nor that service. Rather, it utilizes the free speech and liberties that service fought to protect to call for a more perfect union.

    What disrespects the flag and military service is a politician using the flag and love of country for partisan advantage, to divide Americans and turn Americans against each other.

  22. The average national anthem is 1 minute 50 seconds. I would think the players could devote more time to a good cause, sadly for most that’s about it.

  23. All Americans should honor the flag it stands for what’s right not what’s wrong! It’s our symbol of national pride and freedom for all! We should stand hats off and hands over hearts god bless America and all those who reside here. it might not be perfect but America is the force for greater good on this planet.

  24. jac1216 says:
    June 19, 2020 at 7:36 am
    It is just hard for me to understand why anyone would disrespect OUR FLAG, if you are a true American. I bet most of these people who will be kneeling have never ever served in the military or visited the Arlington National Cemetery either. I read all of these comments from both sides and both sides believe in what they believe. Which is awesome because of all of them have been given that right from those before them who have laid down their lives. Yes the ones that laid down their lives so we all can live free in this Great Nation. If you stand for something then stand for it and do not waiver. You have that right. In my opinion if you do waiver then you are not a true leader you are a follower.

    ——————————-

    I served. One of my first duties when I got to a school was as a pallbearor of a veteran who died and we carried is flag laiden coffin to his final resting spot. I also handled colors twice per week my entire time on my ship. I have great respect for that flag but you can take this garbage elsewhere. I saw more disrespect to that flag from my own shipmates than I ever have from players kneeling. Until this country treats all it’s citizens with respect, that flag don’t mean ****.

  25. I am a paratrooper veteran of Vietnam and if I fought for anything, It was for our Constitution which I pledged to protect and honor. The flag is just a piece pf colored cloth, the Anthem just a song, but people’s right to peaceful assembly and to petition the govt for change is embedded in the FIRST Amendment of our Constitution. It is ideas which are important, not symbols like a piece of colored cloth

  26. Yesterday we had some people set fire to the America flag at a city council meeting in Cincinnati because they did not like someone in the crowd calling for more funding for the police.
    That’s where we are. Enough is enough. We need to take our flag back and what it stands for.
    Sorry protesters. I side with my country and my flag. No more BS about how it’s “not about the flag”
    Find another way to communicate your message. This one has gotten off the rails.

  27. thesmartest1 says:
    “I agree with the President. There’s no way a couple conversations changed his mind. He may have gained some knowledge but that first statement was from his heart.”

    It’s a beautiful thing that we humans can learn and grow. This is what Brees has done.

  28. easiest way to eliminate this debate is to stop playing the National Anthem at sporting events. No need to deal with kneelers if you don’t give an opportunity to kneel. I’m sure the league and owners would love to get out of this debate and just get back to football. And probably a large percentage of the fans.

  29. It was Bree’s opinion. The people who said he was in the wrong for sharing his opinion of what the flag means to him are the ones in the wrong. I, for one, go to the live games partially to see the national anthem being sang. One of my favorite parts of the live show.

    If Malcolm Jenkins does not let an awesome person such as Drew Brees, who does so much for his community, have his own opinion – then Malcom Jenkins is THE problem. You dont tell people what they can value and what they cannot value – no matter what race you are.

  30. To stop this nonsense. Why not have a moment of silence to protest, pray, remember the sacrifices of US soldiers, etc. Either skip the anthem altogether or play it when players are in the locker room.

  31. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Gold bless America And all who reside here!

  32. Why is a militaristic ballad our National Anthem and why is it only played at sporting events? Who made that rule? Why not movie theaters, custom car shows, rock concerts, carnivals, etc?

    The National Anthem should be America the Beautiful for everyone. The Star Spangled Banner should be played at parades, military events, and the Fourth of July.

  33. The flag clearly means different things to different people.
    If we were some small, weak country, we might need to rally around the flag for the country to survive.
    But since we’re the most powerful entity in hen known universe, it just turns out that the people who decide how important anything is are the ones with money.
    Money decides every single thing in this country. If your job says BLM, you better say so.
    If your livelihood depends anything, most people will bend in a way that makes the money work.

  34. As usual, the president is on the wrong side of this issue, and has done nothing but try to divide Americans. Thankfully for all of us, his time in office is about up.

  35. Just like all the kids have to recite the pledge of allegiance in school. Wrong. They have a choice due to the 1st amendment. How is this any different?

  36. Thanks Drew for standing strong against a bully.

    Never let a bully tell you what to think/do.

    Hope to see you kneeling with your teammates soon.

  37. bostonblows says:
    June 19, 2020 at 7:53 am
    Unfortunately no one is shocked by “his” comments anymore. A few more months to go.

    448 99 Rate This
    ______________________________________________

    I know that time is relative and all but I wouldn’t consider 4 years and 7 months to be “a few”.

  39. People need to stop splitting hairs by giving trouble-making fringe-dwellers all the attention. I’m talking about flag-burners and flag worshipers alike.

    Respect your neighbor, the message, and the intent. Open your minds.

  40. I said this before and I’ll say it again. Instead of complaining about people kneeling and protesting, address the issues they are a trying to bring attention to and then there is no longer a reason for anyone to kneel or protest.

    It’s simple. People want change. They are exercising their constitutional right to protest. If you fix what they are protesting, then they will not be protesting that any longer.

    I understand it’s REALLY hard for some people who don’t get it to understand, but it’s an easy fix. No police brutality = no kneeling football players.

  41. When people kneel for the flag and don’t stand, for ME it says they are disrespecting the military. For ME it has zilch to do with the police or racism. But that’s just ME.

  42. thesmartest1 says:
    June 19, 2020 at 5:35 am
    I agree with the President. There’s no way a couple conversations changed his mind. He may have gained some knowledge but that first statement was from his heart.

    ——————–

    Every conversation a person has shapes what they believe. I don’t think the conversations he had changed how he personally feels about the flag and the anthem, but I do think they gave him a better understanding that many black teammates and NFL colleagues have a completely different life experience and don’t feel the same way.

  43. This is nothing more then being pressured by your teammates. Can’t upset the guys you work with, right Drew.

  44. stellarperformance says:
    June 19, 2020 at 11:00 am

    People need to stop splitting hairs by giving trouble-making fringe-dwellers all the attention. I’m talking about flag-burners and flag worshipers alike.

    Respect your neighbor, the message, and the intent. Open your minds.
    _____________

    “Respect your neighbour” – if we all just did this simple thing, the WORLD would change

  45. zonedout100 says:
    June 19, 2020 at 11:11 am
    When people kneel for the flag and don’t stand, for ME it says they are disrespecting the military….
    —————————

    Obviously our great Constitution gives you the right to expressing your opinion. The Constitution also gives that right to the multiple retired Generals and Admirals that have recently publicly criticized Donald Trump as a person who is disrespecting the military and, more importantly, the Constitution. Some of those heroes even worked in the Trump administration for a period.

  46. To all the comments about “time to stop kneeling and actually do something” – how do you know what players have done for their communities? Drew Brees isn’t the only player who does a lot of work – Kaepernick has done a lot, too. Many, many black players do all kinds of community work.

    Things are being done all the time – it’s ridiculous to imply that kneeling is all that these players are doing. And no, it’s not time to stop kneeling. This has only begun.

    Our police forces have been militarized into arbitrary, authoritarian bullies. For policing to work there needs to be a connection to the community – all parts of the community.

  47. “If you stand for something then stand for it and do not waiver.”
    ______________

    The clear problem with that statement being that if the Founding Fathers had done this we’d still be part of the UK today. This country literally came about because loyal British subjects eventually got fed up and demanded change. If you’re going to herald them for doing that it’s tough to argue that nobody should be able to protest anything today. The national anthem stuff is just a straw man because 99% of the people upset with the kneeling also complain about every other sort of protest.

  48. Brees is a good guy, a really good guy, who does a lot for charity. It is mine boggling to me, however, that he could be so clueless about this given that he has worked in a black dominated profession for 20 years. Hopefully his most recent comment shows that he has finally come to understand that kneeling has nothing to do with disrespecting the flag, but is a protest against racism. The kneelers are simply using the national TV time to draw attention to their cause. Not much different than the NFL, itself, using the national anthem to furnish their brand. All of this brings up the whole debate about why sports play national anthems before games anyway. One has nothing to do with the other.

  49. Has anyone noticed on this thread that the pro-kneeling Likes are now far outweighing the Dislikes? The threads on this that began weeks ago were heavily in the other direction.

    Hope that’s not a jinx.

  50. 360,000 white Americans died fighting to free slaves under the flag…
    Hundreds of thousands injured or maimed for life.

    Stand for the damn flag people.

  51. Once again Trump is correct! Drew Brees is scared to speak what he believes even though there is nothing wrong with his belief. Freedom of speech and thought is going away due to the intolerance of the left in this country. If Brees didn’t step his thoughts back he would basically have been a Pariah. That’s Tyranny and that’s sad.

  52. The irony of a draft-dodging international businessman latching into the military and America-first as pet issues is lost on many, but not all.

  53. thesmartest1 says:
    “I agree with the President. There’s no way a couple conversations changed his mind. He may have gained some knowledge but that first statement was from his heart.”

    It’s a beautiful thing that we humans can learn and grow. This is what Brees has done.

    Yes, yes, Brees came to the conclusion that he was wrong in his well thought out original tweet/quote, it absolutely couldn’t be pressure from his agent/team owner/ family to alleviate stress in the locker room. Yes, his heart CHANGED! Of course, yes, that’s the reason!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Not a member? Register now!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.