Trump reportedly wants Kaepernick for summits on race
President Donald Trump wants Colin Kaepernick involved in a series of summits on race alongside other athletes and musical artists, Darrell Scott, a black Cleveland pastor and Trump ally, told Diane Herbst of People.
Kaepernick has remained without an NFL job since opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017. The quarterback, who ignited a series of protests against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem throughout the 2016 season, has since filed a grievance accusing teams of colluding to keep him off the field.
"(Trump) is 100 percent for it," Scott said of the summit. "He was very enthusiastic about it."
Added Scott, "It’s not going to be a black-only event. It will be a melting pot."
Trump has been highly critical of the NFL and players protesting during the anthem, saying those who do should be "fired."
...our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
Scott told People that Kanye West is among the other high-profile names invited to the meetings. West has made headlines recently for publicly stating his support for the president, and for an appearance at TMZ headquarters during which he implied slavery was "a choice."
The outside adviser to the White House also said he expects Trump to attend the summits, for which plans and dates have not been finalized.