Last year's #TakeAKnee protest sparked fury in President Trump, causing him to launch a series of verbal attacks against players who participated; he went so far as to call for their firing. 

The New York Times obtained an audio clip from a private meeting held between NFL executives, team owners and players to discuss the protest and the president's response to them. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a longtime Trump supporter, was in attendance.

In the recording, Kraft accused Trump of using the NFL protest as a means to divide and conquer the nation. 

"The problem we have is, we have a president who will use that as fodder to do his mission that I don’t feel is in the best interests of America,” said Kraft in the recording. "It’s divisive and it’s horrible."

"We’ve got to be careful not to be baited by Trump or whomever else," Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said. "We have to find a way to not be divided and not get baited."

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan reportedly said in the recording that he believes the worse of the Trump NFL player attacks have come and gone, and that the president has turned his attention elsewhere. "All the damage Trump’s going to do is done.” Khan said.

Photo: GIPHY

Folks took to Twitter to comment on how many of these owners were known to have voted for Trump and/or donated to Trump's campaign in public, yet challenged and doubted him in private. Following this recent leak, things are getting interesting. 

#TakeAKneeNFL ProtestsPresident Donald TrumpRobert Kraft