American politicians tend to support American athletes during the Olympics. It is a rule Donald Trump has not always been followed.
Exactly three years ago this week, for example, the former president lashed out at the U.S. women’s soccer team after they “only” won bronze medals. “If our soccer team, led by a radical group of left-wing maniacs, had not been woke, they would have won the gold medal instead of the bronze,” the Republican said in a written statement. “Woke means losing, anything woke goes wrong, and our soccer team certainly did that.”
Trump added that he wanted “Patriots” to replace “the wokesters” in future games, suggesting that Americans should not cheer for their country’s athletes, but rather for conservatives and against liberals.
But as it turns out, Trump sometimes sends sharp messages to Olympians, and Olympians sometimes send sharp messages to Trump. NBC News reported:
Simone Biles loves her “black lane.” The Olympic gymnast, who won two gold medals in Paris to become the most decorated American gymnast, lashed out at former President Donald Trump in a post on X on Friday. The 27-year-old shared a post from singer Ricky Davila celebrating Biles as she posed for photos holding her medal and a “Goat” necklace.
“Simone Biles is the GOAT, winning gold medals and dominating gymnastics, that’s her black track,” Davila wrote. “I love my black track,” Biles replied, adding a black heart emoji.
Sure, the gold medalist didn’t specifically reference the GOP candidate online, but the “black job” reference was hardly subtle. After all, Trump is responsible for pushing the phrase into the political lexicon: The former president first used the phrase during a debate in late June , and he elaborated on it at a National Association of Black Journalists conference this week.
It’s tempting to think that Trump’s running mate would come to his aid in this instance, but given his own rhetorical history, I think Sen. J.D. Vance would be better off sitting tight this time around. The New York Times reported:
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, is facing renewed criticism for his past comments that American gymnast Simone Biles, who won another Olympic gold medal in the all-around on Thursday, showed weakness when she withdrew from the previous Games because of a mental health issue. Mr. Vance, during an appearance on Fox News in 2021, questioned why Ms. Biles was being praised for stepping back from competition at the Tokyo Games.
“I think it reflects poorly on our therapeutic society when we try to praise people not for moments of strength, not for moments of heroism, but for their weakest moments,” Vance said at the time.
WATCH: JD Vance Goes After GOAT Simone Biles After She Withdrew From Tokyo 2020 #Olympics
“I think it reflects badly on our therapeutic society that we don’t praise people for their strong moments, but for their weakest moments.” photo.twitter.com/xLVBer5Tyj
— American Bridge 21st Century (@American_Bridge) July 30, 2024
If the 2024 Republican ticket is smart, Trump and Vance will let Biles’ latest comments go without warning. If recent history is any guide, however, it appears the former president is set to feud again. Watch this space.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
