The first question at Tuesday’s joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and President Donald Trump came from Reuters reporter Steve Holland who asked if the president was “preoccupied” with criticizing the NFL over their National Anthem protests.

“I wasn’t preoccupied with the NFL. I was ashamed of what was taking place,” President Trump replied. “To me, that was a very important moment. I don’t think you can disrespect our country, our flag, our national anthem. To me, the NFL situation is a very important situation. I’ve heard that before about, was I preoccupied? Not at all. Not at all. I have plenty of time on my hands. All I do is work,” the president stated.

The president noted that he recently visited Walter Reed Hospital where he visited soldiers who were missing arms and legs, lost in battle fighting for the American Flag and the country that NFL players are protesting.

“For people to disrespect that by kneeling during the playing of our national anthem, I think is disgraceful,” President Trump asserted.

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