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What Eagles players, local politicians and others are saying on social media about the rescinded White House invite

Former Eagle Torrey Smith and Philly Mayor Jim Kenney shared their thoughts on Twitter.

The Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins raises his fist as a form of protest prior to a game vs. the Redskins last year. He is joined by Chris Long (left) and Rodney McLeod.
The Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins raises his fist as a form of protest prior to a game vs. the Redskins last year. He is joined by Chris Long (left) and Rodney McLeod. Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

The Eagles' long-awaited visit to the White House was fewer than 24 hours out.

There was plenty of time for things to change.

Late Monday, President Trump rescinded the Eagles' invitation to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to celebrate their Super Bowl win. He said "the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better" than the "smaller delegation" the Eagles were planning to send.

>>READ MORE: You can't ruin this for us, Donald. Go Birds.

A team source told The Inquirer and Daily News that fewer than 10 players were planning on attending. You can read more about that here.

Instead, Trump announced plans to "loudly and proudly play the National Anthem" at the White House on Tuesday.

The rescinded invitation comes on the heels of the NFL's decision to require players to stand during the playing of the national anthem prior to games, or stay out-of-sight in the locker room.

The policy drew ire from players like Malcolm Jenkins, who stopped his protest midway through last season.

"Guys get upset when you try to tell them what they can and can't do," Jenkins said last week. "The same way the entire league got sparked last year when [President] Trump made his comments," suggesting an owner should order someone to "get that son-of-a-bitch off the field" when a player protested, and that the player should be "fired."

Trump took to Twitter late Monday night, saying that staying in the locker room instead of standing on the field during the national anthem "is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!"

>>READ MORE: Trump canceled on the Eagles because to him, size matters | Marcus Hayes

Former Eagle Torrey Smith — who was traded during the offseason — had a lot to say on Twitter after the initial announcement was made.

He said the president's statement had "so many lies," and that "no one refused to go simply because Trump 'insists' folks stand for the anthem."

He also noted that the Eagles' desire to avoid the White House visit had little to do with what players do during the national anthem.

On Tuesday morning, Smith jumped back on Twitter, poking fun at Trump and his ceremony.

Fox News covered the controversy Tuesday morning, but made a big misstep when they used footage of Eagles players praying and insinuated they were kneeling in protest. Chris Long and Zach Ertz let them hear it on Twitter.

Eventually, Fox News apologized.

Read more about that here.

On Monday night, a number of regional and local politicians shared their thoughts too. Read more about that here.

Philly mayor Jim Kenney said Trump was "not a true patriot" after rescinding the invitation.

One state representative — Brendan Boyle (D., 13th District) — said he'd hit up Wawa and the Eagles could come visit the U.S. Capitol building.

Lou Barletta (R., 11th District), a candidate for senator, said he'd be in attendance at the White House on Tuesday.

On Monday night, as soon as the news hit Twitter, the jokes followed, including one from the chief of staff to Mayor Kenney:

It wouldn't be breaking news in 2018 without the most topical meme of the week getting the Eagles/Trump treatment:

Here are a few others that made us laugh:

Former Eagle Cris Carter had his own suggestion:

And when all else fails, make fun of the Patriots.