Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has revealed that CNN commentator and ex-Obama administration official Van Jones tried to set up a meeting between him and President Donald Trump. The disclosure came during an appearance on the MediasTouch podcast, where host Ben Meiselas asked Kaepernick about an invitation to a so-called "Black Summit" during Trump's first term.
Kaepernick, who became a polarizing figure for kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, characterized the outreach as part of a broader pattern. "What I've learned over the years is there is going to be a constant attempt to be able to co-opt people who are trying to work for the benefit of the people," he said. "What was relayed to me was the outreach came from Van Jones for this."
He added that the offer was dismissed without hesitation. "I don't know the details around it because, candidly, as soon as it came up as, 'Hey, here is the opportunity,' it was immediately rejected," Kaepernick explained.
The relationship between Trump and Kaepernick has been fraught since the protests began. Trump publicly criticized the quarterback's actions, stating, "But I will tell you — you cannot disrespect our country, our flag, our anthem, you cannot do that." The former president also voiced support for the NFL suspending Kaepernick indefinitely.
Kaepernick suggested that the summit invitation was a political maneuver. "This is after him going out publicly and trying to target me in my employment," he said, adding that Trump's actions made it seem like "a facade that he's working for Black people or trying to be in the benefit of Black people," but "history shows otherwise."
The quarterback also drew a connection between Trump and the Reform Alliance, an organization formerly led by Jones, alleging that pardons and other favors have been part of a "pay-for-play" dynamic. "Ultimately, what we see is on the other side of that, you know, pardons being handed out, and we're seeing those pay-for-play right now," he said.
Kaepernick has been out of the NFL since opting out of his 49ers contract in March 2017, though he hasn't officially retired. He filed a grievance accusing NFL owners of colluding to keep him off the field, a case that reportedly settled in 2019 for under $10 million. The lawsuit also named Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence as part of a "colluding force."
In 2019, Trump expressed a willingness to see Kaepernick return to the league, saying he would "love" it and that owners would sign him "if he was good enough." That comment stood in stark contrast to his earlier stance, reflecting the complex and often contradictory nature of their interactions.
The revelation comes amid ongoing debates about race, protest, and political co-optation. For more on how Trump's policies have affected his political standing, see inflation's impact on midterm prospects. Additionally, Kaepernick's comments touch on broader issues of corporate and political influence, which have been central to discussions about trade and international alliances.
