In a week filled with controversies, especially due to the reasons he gave to explain the end of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump sparked a new controversy by inviting former American football player Lawrence Taylor to the White House as part of an official ceremony to announce the relaunch of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
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Taylor, considered one of the best defenders in NFL history, has been registered as a sex offender for over a decade.
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Why did Trump invite Taylor to a ceremony related to young people?
During the event, held in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Trump signed an executive order reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test for children attending public schools in the United States. The President of the United States was accompanied by high-profile athletes such as golfer Bryson DeChambeau and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, and introduced the new council members, including Taylor.
The former New York Giants linebacker was praised by the president, who defined him as “the best defensive player in NFL history” and “a long-time friend.” Taylor expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, although he admitted to not knowing the details of the role he will assume: “I don’t know what we are supposed to do, but I am here to serve you,” as reported by Newsweek.
Chiefs kicker Butker is also a divisive figure, as in 2024 he urged women to consider their role as wives and mothers over professional development.
What are Taylor’s criminal records?
Taylor’s public appearance alongside Trump comes at a delicate moment for the president, whose relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, continues to generate controversy. A few days ago, the President of the United States recounted that he ended his long friendship with Epstein when he began taking staff from his Mar-a-Lago club and said that the sex offender “stole” Virginia Giuffre when she was a teenager.
Giuffre, who became one of the victims of Epstein’s network, committed suicide in April of this year.
In that context, Trump’s decision to include Lawrence Taylor on the presidential council has sparked a flood of negative reactions.
Public figures like commentator Brian Krassenstein described the incident as “disgusting,” pointing out that the athlete had been convicted in a case involving a minor. Julie Roginsky, activist and former media analyst for networks like Fox News and CNBC, also strongly criticized Taylor’s appearance at the White House.
In 2010, Taylor was arrested on charges of inappropriate sexual behavior and prostitution related to a 16-year-old girl. The following year he pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to probation, in addition to being required to register as a sex offender.