The U.S. women's soccer team accomplished its ultimate goal in France by winning the World Cup title. But it remains to be seen if it will take a victory lap at the White House.
The issue became a political football of sorts over the past week when an old quote from Team USA star Megan Rapinoe resurfaced in which she said she'd decline a White House invitation if the U.S. won.
President Donald Trump responded on June 26 with a tweet saying Rapinoe "should WIN first before she TALKS!" He later added that the U.S. women's team would be invited to the White House win or lose, but after the USA's clinching victory he appeared to walk back his commitment.
"We haven't really thought about it. We'll look at that," Trump told reporters Sunday afternoon.
"We haven't really thought about it. We'll look at that," replies @POTUS when asked if he'll invite #USWomensSoccerTeam to @WhiteHouse. pic.twitter.com/VRcwBuojKV
Trump also took his time to congratulate the U.S. women on Twitter, waiting two hours after the USA's 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in Sunday's World Cup final to acknowledge the win.
By comparison, Melania Trump's account tweeted a congratulatory message as the match ended and former president Barack Obama did the same a few minutes later.
Asked about a possible White House invitation in her postmatch press conference, U.S. coach Jill Ellis demurred: "I don’t know, I haven’t been invited so I can’t really say."
When a foreign journalist suggested it was a done deal, Ellis responded, "Well I wouldn't bet on that."
Contributing: Nancy Armour from Lyon, France
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