America’s president is back on goofy mode.
After the most-watched Super Bowl in five years, one in which the NFL celebrated its connection to Latinx culture, a video emerged of President Donald Trump mocking the national anthem being performed at the Super Bowl by Latina superstar Demi Lovato.
BREAKING: Instagram story footage shows Trump disrespecting and mocking the National Anthem during the #SuperBowl.
Trump called for @Kaepernick7, who kneeled during the anthem at football games in protest of racist police brutality, to leave the country. pic.twitter.com/qssduswQg0
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) February 3, 2020
According to the Daily Herald, the video was captured from an Instagram story of “a real estate agent for a Russian-American firm who frequents Mar-a-Lago and other Trump properties and events,” but has since expired. It is widely assumed that the video wasn’t deleted but reached its 24-hour expiration stamp in Instagram’s system.
In a flippant manner, Trump waves his arms like he’s playing air guitar in the comfort of his home while his son and the first lady watch the anthem, with hands crossed over their hearts. It’s quite a sight to see, especially given the fact that every other adult (and child, it appears) is able to respect the national anthem.
According to the Herald, Trump’s establishment hasn’t responded to any comments regarding the incident. Traditionally, this has been a president very vocal about his feelings toward kneeling or other kinds of demonstrations during the anthem, especially at football games.
In a 2018 Twitter frenzy, Trump wrote a series of tweets aimed at NFL players and how they observed the national anthem:
“The NFL players are at it again — taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem,” Trump wrote. “Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their 'outrage' at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love."
The NFL players are at it again – taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
Trump has been particularly critical of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started a movement of kneeling during the flag in protest of police brutality and racism. Kaepernick, who no longer plays in the league, settled with the NFL for an undisclosed amount in his collusion case last year after asserting the league blackballed him because of his protest.
Roc Nation, Jay-Z's entertainment agency, was reportedly at the forefront of deal-making that helped Kaep get a workout opportunity in front of numerous NFL team scouts, but no offers have materialized from the event. Though people have criticized HOV for becoming bed buddies with an NFL that has ostracized Kaepernick, he appears to remain in support of the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback.
As Blavity previously reported, Jay-Z and Beyoncé took a page out of Kaep’s book while watching the Super Bowl’s national anthem performance. The couple and their daughter Blue Ivy remained seated as Lovato performed at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Though Bey looked to have enjoyed the performance, it appears the power couple intends to support Kaep and his mission.