President Trump responded to a Nike ad campaign that features Colin Kaepernick, saying the company is sending a “terrible message” by featuring the free agent quarterback.
Kaepernick started a movement of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness about police brutality against African-Americans and other racial injustices. The ad was unveiled Monday as Nike, the NFL’s official apparel sponsor, celebrates the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” campaign.
“Believe in something,” the advertisement reads in white letters in front of a black-and-white photo of Kaepernick. “Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
In an interview Tuesday with The Daily Caller, Trump said Nike should not have chosen to feature the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback.
“But I think it’s a terrible message that they’re sending and the purpose of them doing it, maybe there’s a reason for them doing it,” Trump said. “But I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent. There’s no reason for it.”
He did acknowledge that the company is allowed to determine its own strategy.
“As much as I disagree with the Colin Kaepernick endorsement, in another way—I mean, I wouldn’t have done it,” Trump told The Daily Caller. “In another way, it is what this country is all about, that you have certain freedoms to do things that other people think you shouldn’t do, but I personally am on a different side of it.”
Trump has been a vocal opponent of athletes who kneel during the national anthem to raise awareness about police brutality against black Americans and other racial injustices.
Last week, an arbitrator ruled there is evidence that the NFL colluded to not hire Colin Kaepernick, and that his case can go forward. Kaepernicks has been a free agent since 2017.
The NFL also issued a statement Tuesday afternoon in reference to Kaepernick.
“The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding and unity,” NFL executive vice president of communications and public affairs Jocelyn Moore said. “We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities. The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action.”
The Associated Press said Kaepernick negotiated a new multi-year deal with Nike that will feature him in billboards, television commercials and a new apparel line despite the quarterback’s remaining free-agency status. He played his last NFL game in 2016. Nike signed Kaepernick in 2011.
Other athletes including Serena Williams, LeBron James, Lacey Baker, Shaquem Griffin and Odell Beckham Jr. will also be featured in the campaign.
