Last year, openly gay Winter Olympians Adam Rippon and Gus Kenworthy to visit President Donald Trump at the White House.
Now, the US women's soccer captain, Megan Rapinoe, is doing the same.
Speaking on-camera to last week, Rapinoe was quick to reject the idea of meeting President Trump, saying: “I’m not going to the f**king White House."
She added: “No, I’m not going to the White House… we’re not going to be invited! I doubt it.”
Now, as the Rapinoe and the US women's soccer team progress to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Trump has taken to social media to both slam Rapinoe's comments and extend an invitation.
“Women’s soccer player, @mPinoe, just stated that she is ‘not going to the F…ing White House if we win,'" Trump tweeted.
“Other than the NBA… leagues and teams love coming to the White House. I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!
“We haven’t yet invited Megan or the team, but I am now inviting the TEAM, win or lose."
Trump continued: “Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag, especially since so much has been done for her & the team. Be proud of the Flag that you wear. The USA is doing GREAT!”
Speaking to prior to the FIFA World Cup, Rapino explained that she'd been gaining a more in-depth understanding of the inequalities faced by marginalised communities in the United States.
“The more I’ve been able to learn about gay rights and equal pay and gender equity and racial inequality, the more that it all intersects," she said.
“You can’t really pick it apart. It’s all intertwined. God forbid you be a gay woman and a person of colour in this country, because you’d be really f**ked.
“You can’t really speak out on one thing and not another without it not being the full picture.
“We need to talk about a larger conversation in this country about equality in general and respect – especially with the narrative that’s coming from the White House right now.”
