The Warriors were probably never going to go to the White House.
But President Donald Trump just made their decision very easy.
On Saturday morning, President Trump tweeted that he had withdrawn an invitation for the Golden State Warriors to visit the White House to celebrate their 2017 NBA Championship a day after Curry said he had no interest in visiting with Trump.
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
At Warriors’ Media Day, the team said that it planned to discuss a potential White House visit as a unit, but many of the team’s players, including Curry, were outspoken about the role they would have in a potential discussion.
“I don’t want to go,” Curry said. “That’s kind of the nucleus of my belief. It’s different, it’s not just me going to the White House. If it was, this would be a pretty short conversation.”
After Trump’s reaction to Curry’s comments on Saturday morning, a slew of athletes took to Twitter to vocalize their thoughts on an invitation that may never have existed anyway, and to offer their support for Curry and the Warriors.
One of the first voices to weigh in? LeBron James. Doesn’t sound like the Cavs’ star would have accepted a White House invite, either.
U bum @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!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
Curry’s teammate, Draymond Green, asked a big-picture question. Green wasn’t the only Warriors’ player (current or former) to make a statement, either.
Still wondering how this guy is running our country…. ???
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) September 23, 2017
— David West (@D_West30) September 23, 2017
No hesitation smh
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) September 23, 2017
Your a Clown ?. @realDonaldTrump – and yo dumbass fired !! @StephenCurry30
For President !!!
— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) September 23, 2017
Another popular current NBA players offered some pointed thoughts at President Trump.
With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
And I doubt he's man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face…
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
CJ McCollum, who’s been very active on twitter this offseason, defended the Warriors.
No. An imbecile like trump could never understand https://t.co/PPwbLPQOy1
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) September 23, 2017
Washington Wizards’ star Bradley Beal plays in the shadow of the building the Warriors won’t be visiting, but he decided to voice his support for a group on the other side of the country.
How you gonna withdraw an invite that somebody already said they weren't attending? ??
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) September 23, 2017
A bevy other current NBA players offered their thoughts.
GSW should have a nice little dinner with Obama and his family.
— Michael Carter-Willi (@MCW1) September 23, 2017
?Im dying https://t.co/SdAoR9rFRb
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) September 23, 2017
Lebron now has 4 rings
????. That was a bar!!! ?— Brandon Jennings (@brandonjennings) September 23, 2017
@BarackObama we need you back ASAP
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) September 23, 2017
The reaction wasn’t limited to current basketball players, either. Buffalo Bills’ star LeSean McCoy and Washington Nationals’ reliever Sean Doolittle took to Twitter as well.
It's really sad man … our president is a asshole
— Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) September 23, 2017
welp, i don't think anyone can tell athletes to "stick to sports" for a while
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) September 23, 2017
I support the NBA World Champion Golden State Warriors, their owners, players and fans.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 23, 2017
Golden State players are champions and men of principle who give back to their community. #respect
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 23, 2017
Dell Curry, father of @StephenCurry30, to ESPN. pic.twitter.com/yWUpJp4hQM
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 23, 2017
Unbelievable what he just said!! https://t.co/K5H58E3h43
— Cecil Shorts III (@CecilShortsIII) September 23, 2017
Only validates @Kaepernick7 bringing social injustice to light, he kneeled hoping it'd bring attention to what he believed in… Has it not?
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) September 23, 2017
The behavior of the President is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. If you do not Condemn this divisive Rhetoric you are Condoning it!!
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 23, 2017
Continue to use your voices and your platforms for racial equality and to stop injustices in our communities. This is bigger than us!!! ✊?
— Michael Thomas (@Michael31Thomas) September 23, 2017
“Stick to sports boy… Sit down and do what your told. Say or do something we don’t like and your fired” Well I hate to break it to ya…
— Chris Conley (@_flight17_) September 23, 2017
This story will continue to be updated as more athletes react to Saturday morning’s news.