Donald Trump withdraws White House invite for Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry

Steph Curry had said he voted not to visit the White House. (Source: Reuters)

United State President Donald Trump has seemed to withdraw the White House invite for NBA champions Golden State Warriors’ star player Steph Curry. It is not immediately clear whether the invite has been withdrawn for the entire team or just the player itself. Trump tweeted on Saturday that Curry is no longer invited to the White House because of what the president termed as hesitation by the two-time NBA MVP in deciding whether to make the traditional champions’ trip to Washington. On Friday, Trump had told the NFL owners to fire players who won’t stand for the national anthem.

“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!” Trump wrote from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Curry had previously said he would vote not to go to the White House if the decision went up for a democratic decision. “By acting and not going, hopefully that will inspire some change when it comes to what we tolerate in this country and what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye to,” Curry said on Friday at the Warriors’ media day. “It’s not just the act of not going. There are things you have to do on the back end to actually push that message into motion.”

Earlier, fellow NBA star and finalist LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers had publicly called out Trump for his comments following Charlottesville racist incident. Following Trump’s tweet, James reacted, “U bum (at)StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”.

Later, Kobe Bryant too joined the act and said, “A #POTUS who’s name alone creates division and anger. Who’s words inspire dissension and hatred can’t possibly “Make America Great Again”.