Trump & Fox News spread Fake News as White House cancels Eagles' visit

After our prior discussion on the National Anthem and the latest news regarding the Philadelphia Eagles’ canceled visit to the White House, I think it’s important to continue the discussion so we can digest the facts while eliminating the B.S. aka Fake News.

Yesterday, Trump tweeted that he canceled the Eagles’ visit to the White House due to a small contingent of the team attending the event and stated that “staying in the locker room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling.” The White House followed up this tweet by saying that the Eagles decided to “abandon their fans” by not attending the event.

Now, let’s get one thing straight; many professional athletes for the Eagles and other teams across multiple leagues didn’t fool with Trump way before the anthem issue became one of his major talking points so it’s ridiculous to intimate that it’s the only reason the players have chosen not to attend the White House function. Look no further than the Golden State Warriors if one needs an example of a sports team who hasn’t kneeled yet doesn’t get down with Trump.

Secondly, Trump and Fox News decided to paint a picture of Eagles’ players kneeling prior to games, when in fact, none of the Eagles’ players have kneeled during the National Anthem. There have been guys who have protested against social injustice and racial inequality yet none of them ever took a knee during the anthem last year. So why would Trump push this narrative filled with inaccuracies followed by Fox News showing pictures of players praying while stating in their segment that the players were kneeling during the anthem?

To answer that question, you have to look past the smoke screen. First, Trump felt slighted that only a small group of representatives from the Eagles decided to make the visit to the White House. Because of this fact and his understanding that the National Anthem is a hot button issue within his base, he decided to link the two issues in an attempt to stir up emotion between the left and the right to further alienate the American people.  But why does he want this to happen? Well, you have to dig a little deeper.

In the Michael Cohen case, the special master determined that the prosecution will gain access to approximately 98% of the files confiscated during the FBI raid of Cohen’s residence(s) and office. Also, the prosecution in the Paul Manafort case has asked the judge to revoke Manafort’s bail due to his attempt to tamper with potential witnesses prior to the commencement of his trial. Furthermore, Trump’s legal team admitted that Trump dictated the letter regarding Trump Jr.’s meeting with the Russians in Trump Tower after multiple denials by the White House. So with all of these things happening in a span of 48 hours, is it surprising to hear Trump talk about his vast pardon powers and the ability to pardon himself, if necessary?

As the heat continues to increase on Trump, he is going to employ as many distractions as possible to 1) take focus away from the revelations in the various court cases and investigations and 2) continue to drive a wedge between Americans so that he can maintain his base, regardless of how the aforementioned events play out. I understand that I’m talking from the angle of someone who doesn’t care for Trump, but at the same time, you have to be able to separate facts from fiction. This sideshow isn't about the Eagles, kneeling or the National Anthem; it's a timely distraction to draw attention away from serious issues at the doorstep of the White House. So the next time you hear the White House suggest Fake News, be sure to perform an extra search for the facts, because more than likely; they’re yelling Fake News to cover up the Fake News they’re trying disseminate. Don’t fall for the banana in the tailpipe!