Amber Glenn, a prominent USA figure skater, has made it clear that she will not be accepting an invitation to visit the White House and meet with President Donald Trump. The 26-year-old athlete expressed her decision during an interview at the 37th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. When asked about Olympians declining the opportunity to visit the White House, Glenn stated, “I’m electing not to either, so I do not blame them whatsoever. It is our right to be able to choose what we do and don’t endorse, and I think it is a decision that each individual has the right to make.”
It is unclear whether Glenn has already received an invitation from the White House and rejected it, as no official statement has been made by the administration. However, turning down invitations to the White House during the Trump administration is not uncommon. Recently, the women’s hockey team declined the opportunity to visit, citing prior academic and professional commitments, but they may consider a visit at a later date. On the other hand, the men’s team accepted the invite and met with President Trump, attending the State of the Union address later that evening.
In a video released by the White House, some players from Team USA were absent from the meeting, with most of them expressing a need to return to their NHL teams to prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite the mixed responses from athletes, it is evident that if Team USA figure skating decides to visit the White House, Amber Glenn will not be joining them.
It is essential for athletes to have the autonomy to make decisions regarding their endorsements and public appearances, and Glenn’s stance highlights the importance of individual choice in such matters. As the debate over athletes visiting the White House continues, it is clear that each athlete has the right to decide whether or not to accept invitations based on their personal beliefs and values.
