In a stunning turn of events, the United States Women's National Soccer Team suffered a devastating loss to Sweden in the Round of 16 at the Women's World Cup. The defeat left many American viewers in shock, considering the team's previous success and the high stakes of the tournament. However, for former President Donald J. Trump, the loss had a deeper meaning.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed his thoughts on the matter, using the opportunity to criticize President Joe Biden. Trump claimed that the team's loss was emblematic of the nation's decline under Biden's leadership, stating, "The 'shocking and totally unexpected' loss by the U.S. Women's Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden."

Continuing his attack, Trump singled out the players, accusing them of being openly hostile to America. He claimed that no other country behaved in such a manner and blamed their “woke” ideology for their failure. Trump specifically mentioned Megan Rapinoe, a retiring soccer star who has been a long-time target of his criticism. Rapinoe's missed penalty kick during the game added fuel to the feud between the two, leading Trump to taunt her by saying, "Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA."

Trump's attack on the American team competing on the national stage and his relishing in their defeat exemplified the unforgiving nature of right-wing politics. However, President Biden took a different approach and showed his support for the team. He took to Twitter to congratulate them on their incredible run and emphasized their ability to inspire Americans both on and off the field. Biden's message of positivity and encouragement stood in stark contrast to Trump's criticism.

Criticism of the team, particularly from the right-wing, was already prevalent before their loss. Megyn Kelly, a podcast host, accused Rapinoe of poisoning the entire team against the country. Right-wing activist Brigitte Gabriel openly rooted against the “woke” U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, while The Washington Examiner criticized the team for prioritizing their “woke” agenda over winning games. These attacks on Rapinoe and the team's political stances have been a central focus of conservative criticism, using the term “woke” as a catchall shorthand for progressive views on gender, race, and other issues.

However, it is important to note that these attacks do not necessarily reflect the priorities of most voters. Some Republican figures, including former Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Doug Burgum, and former Representative Will Hurd, have urged the party to focus on more concrete matters like inflation, echoing Trump's own statement that he dislikes the term "woke."

Mary Jo Kane, a professor and founder of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, sees Trump's attack on women's sports as a reflection of the growth and significance of women's sports in society. The fact that the former president is commenting on women's sports demonstrates its cultural significance and the power it holds.

While the USWNT's loss may have disappointed many fans, it also highlights the ongoing cultural and political battles surrounding women's sports and the players who participate in them. As the team strives to continue inspiring Americans and achieving success, the controversies and criticism they face only serve to demonstrate the evolving role of women's sports in our society.