Dem
51
GOP
49
This would not generally be worthy of an item, we suppose, but it's a pretty good real-time example of the general trend we discuss in the item above. So, we're running with it.
Those readers who have been following the Women's World Cup (soccer) know that the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) has underwhelmed. The team's defense is stout, but its offense is non-existent, with the result that after beating a mediocre Vietnam squad 3-0, it scored a grand total of 1 goal across its next 3 games. You can't win without scoring, and you can't finish in a tie once you reach the knockout round, which commenced this weekend. So, after a 0-0 result against Sweden on Sunday, and then landing 4 penalty kicks to the Swedes' 5, the USWNT was eliminated from the tournament.
There are hundreds of thought pieces in sports sections right now, trying to figure out what went wrong. Was it using veteran players too much? An approach that was too conservative? Bad coaching? Bad luck? The rest of the world catching up to the U.S.? The time difference? The weather? We are hardly soccer experts, so we are in no position to judge. There is one explanation, however, that we feel pretty strongly is not the correct one.
Which explanation would that be? Why, the one offered up by Donald Trump. Here is his "analysis":
The "shocking and totally unexpected" loss by the U.S. Women's Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to the our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden. Many of our players were openly hostile to America—No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close. WOKE EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA
How absurd. Needless to say, everyone knows that the blame lies with Barack Obama, not Joe Biden. Thanks, Obama.
OK, maybe not. It's true that the USWNT is pretty lefty in its activism, roughly keeping pace with the NBA in terms of protesting the national anthem, speaking out for equality, etc. The notion this has anything to do with their performance once the whistle blows, however, is just silly. Equally silly is that a pretty lefty team, which has been known for its outspokenness for at least a decade, is taking its cues from the much more centrist Biden.
Nonetheless, once Trump pronounced judgment, Republicans rushed to second the motion. That includes multiple dozens of Republican politicians, along with right-wing media members like Megyn Kelly, Clay Travis and T.J. Moe. Oh, and Don Jr., too. You know, when Junior speaks, you can see Senior's lips moving. They really need to work on their ventriloquist act. Just make sure you don't tell any of these folks that Lina Hurtig, the Swedish player whose successful PK sealed the USWNT's doom, is a lesbian and, apropos of that, is married to a woman. Uh, oh.
Meanwhile, this was Biden's response to the USWNT's loss:
@USWNT, you've made your country proud.
Congratulations on an incredible run. This team is something special and I'm looking forward to seeing how you continue to inspire Americans with your grit and determination—on and off the field.
It's politician-speak, of course, but it's probably better than ripping into the team and telling the country it's going to hell, right? (Z)