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Former U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard has called Christian Pulisic ’s decision to celebrate a goal using the ‘Trump Dance’ “stupid” and said that he himself would never show support to someone he “(believes) is racist.
” Pulisic’s celebration came after he scored the first goal in USMNT’s 4-2 Nations League victory over Jamaica . After the match, the Milan winger was asked about his dance and said he didn’t feel it was a political statement. Advertisement “It was just a dance that everyone’s doing,” Pulisic said after confirming it had indeed been the ‘Trump Dance’.
“He’s the one who created it. I just thought it was funny ..
. It’s not a political dance. It was just for fun.
I saw a bunch of people do it and I thought it was funny, so I enjoyed it. I hope some people did, at least.” Christian Pulisic wasn't the only USMNT player that hit the Trump dance after his goal against Jamaica.
(via @awnaveed11 ) pic.twitter.com/1SxBGVbNJq — USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 19, 2024 The ‘Trump Dance’ has become a viral trend after being widely used by Trump himself on the presidential election campaign trail.
That has now spread to sports, with National Football League player Nick Bosa celebrating a sack using the dance, and most recently combat sports fighter Jon Jones performing it after knocking out his opponent, in front of a watching Trump. But Howard, widely-considered among the greatest players in the history of American men’s soccer, criticised Pulisic, calling into question his awareness surrounding the political climate in the United States following the U.S.
election, where Trump earned a second term by roundly defeating Democratic challenger and current Vice President Kamala Harris. “Doing a dance that mimics (U.S.
president-elect) Donald Trump is stupid,” Howard wrote in the UK’s Daily Mail . “Why? Because, whether it’s the president of the United States or my neighbor down the street, I would never back someone who I believe is racist. I wouldn’t glorify that.
I wouldn’t do it for anything.” Referring to Pulisic’s insistence that the dance was not a “political” act, Howard said: “That explanation doesn’t wash. You cannot have it both ways.
You’re on one side of this or the other. If you are bold enough to publicly make a statement, I don’t have a problem with that. But own it.
” Advertisement Howard also attacked the U.S. Soccer Federation, suggesting that it needed to do a better job of educating its players on the ramifications of their actions.
The former Everton keeper also stated that he felt some athletes were ignoring problematic policies and political leanings in order to maximize their earnings. “Athletes know they can protect their assets by supporting a certain political party,” wrote Howard. “I have a lot of friends who are very wealthy and they sold their soul to protect their money.
“Support whoever you want, for whatever reason you like. But my message to Pulisic, Bosa, Jones and Co? Own it.” U.
S. Soccer declined to comment on Howard’s remarks. President-elect Trump’s office has been approached for comment.
GO DEEPER Explaining USMNT star Christian Pulisic’s ‘Donald Trump dance' and its impact (Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images).
