via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Soccer Football – Women – Quarterfinal – Netherlands v United States – International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan – July 30, 2021. Megan Rapinoe of the United States during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Soccer Football – Women – Quarterfinal – Netherlands v United States – International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan – July 30, 2021. Megan Rapinoe of the United States during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
USWNT star, Megan Rapinoe, has gained a lot of fame for her incredible skills on the soccer field, her purple hair catching the sunlight as she wins matches for her team. However, she also gains a lot of attention from the public for her outspoken activism against social injustices.
Rapinoe’s larger-than-life personality and fearlessness to stand up for what’s right have led to several clashes with political figures over the decades. Amongst them, her feud with former President Donald Trump probably takes the cake.
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Megan Rapinoe reveals her family voted for Trump
As a gay woman who has frequently protested against racial and gender discrimination, Megan Rapinoe has vehemently criticized Donald Trump. She refused the prospect of an invitation to the White House during the 2019 World Cup, which led to a series of scathing Tweets from the then-president. Trump wrote, “Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!’’
via Getty
KASHIMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 05: Megan Rapinoe #15 of Team United States gives instructions during the Women’s Bronze Medal match between United States and Australia on day thirteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kashima Stadium on August 05, 2021 in Kashima, Japan. (Photo by Masashi Hara – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
But Rapinoe grew up in a conservative family, and on many occasions, she has found herself clashing with her parents on their political views. Talking to the Guardian in 2019, Rapinoe revealed that while her parents raised her with lessons of equality, she doesn’t understand their conservative stance on politics.
“I’m very similar to how they are, even though I think my dad voted for Trump. I don’t get it,” she said. From the start, her parents had a hard time accepting her sexuality. “My parents said: ‘What are people going to say?’ and: ‘We don’t want things to be harder for you.’ But I don’t think I ever saw ways in which it was harder,” Rapinoe narrated.
But Rapinoe has maintained a good relationship with her family
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Megan Rapinoe, who passionately pursued her dream of playing soccer from the very beginning, gained a lot of support from her parents in terms of her career. By her early 20s, she had already established her prowess in the sport. Only the issue of her sexuality remained.
via Getty
LYON, FRANCE – JULY 07: Megan Rapinoe of the USA poses for a photograph with the Golden Boot award and the Golden Ball award following the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Final match between The United States of America and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 07, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The Olympic champion explained that she fights with her parents regarding their differing perspectives to this day. “There’s been some major blow-ups. There’s definitely been some dust-ups,” she commented. But despite their conflicts, she has maintained a close and healthy relationship with them.
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“I’m very close to my family. It’s not like: ‘Ugh, I’m from a conservative town, and I never talk to them anymore.’ I talk to my parents all the time, every day,” she claimed. Moreover, she claims that there’s a good chance she can get them to see things her way. “I feel like I have seen progress and growth.”
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