Trump Tweets That He Met With Jerry Jones To Talk About Anthem Protests

Donald Trump claimed on Twitter Wednesday morning that he spoke to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about the recent wave of NFL national anthem protests.

Jerry Jones National Anthem Protest News

The President tweeted: “Jerry is a winner who knows how to get things done. Players will stand for Country!”

Cowboys players and Jones knelt before the playing of the national anthem during Monday night’s game against the Cardinals in Arizona. The Cardinals also protested the anthem.

Jones is one of at least seven NFL owners who donated to Trump’s campaign or inauguration ceremony, and is the only owner in the league thus far to kneel for the anthem. However, the move came before The Star-Spangled Banner was played.

“There’s no need for us to talk about equality and have 60% of the country mad at you because you’re not perceived to be honoring the flag,” Jones said after the game Monday. “That was a way to do both.”

Several fans booed at the Cowboys’ and Cardinals’ protest on Monday, and Trump said the boos were “the loudest I ever heard.” The President has said linking arms is an acceptable form of protest, but not sitting or kneeling. He also claimed football games had begun experiencing lower ratings because of the protests, although viewership actually increased over the weekend.

More than 250 players protested the national anthem over the weekend to follow the initial statement made by free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick in August 2016.

Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler defended Jones on Tuesday and debunked the rumor that the owner had prohibited players from protesting the national anthem.

Dallas coach Jason Garrett also said this about the team’s anthem protest:

Trump has urged NFL fans to boycott games until the protests end.

The Cowboys won 28-17 on Monday and next host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Caption:TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 15: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks with fans during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)