The New England Patriots are due to appear at the White House this spring to celebrate the team’s recent Super Bowl championship, and President Trump wants owner Robert Kraft there despite his recent arrest for soliciting a prostitute.
The president insists that Kraft, his good friend, be at the White House for the occasion in spite of the optics.
If the Patriots owner does accept an invitation, it could mean he would appear at the White House before he sets foot into a courtroom to answer for criminal charges.
Trump’s aides are concerned about the media spectacle that would likely erupt if a man accused of soliciting prostitutes is seen at a White House celebration, according to Politico.
President Trump reportedly plans to invite Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, to the White House as part of the celebration of the team's recent Super Bowl victory. Trump (left) and Kraft are seen above at April 2017 event at the White House honoring the Pats
It is not at all clear if Kraft would accept an invitation by the president, who in the past has supported his allies who have also been accused of sexual misconduct and crimes.
But White House officials told Politico that they think it’s a bad idea.
‘This will ultimately be [Trump’s] call,’ said a former White House official.
‘The question is a comms problem about whether or not they want Bob Kraft to be there given all the stuff that went down.’
Trump could wait until April or May to extend an invite to Kraft. By that time, White House aides hope that the arrest will fade from public memory.
‘Public memory is so short that inviting Robert Kraft last month would have been not cool,’ said a White House official.
‘But if [the Patriots] are not going to come until late spring, we’ll have to see what’s going on at that time.
‘But I would bet that he comes.
‘He’s synonymous with the team. He’s accused, but he hasn’t been convicted.
Kraft was charged last month with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida (pictured)
‘In my opinion it’s up to Kraft if he’s willing to come - not on us here to block him.’
Trump publicly backed Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox News host, and Roy Moore, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Alabama, after both men were credibly accused of sexual misconduct.
O’Reilly was forced out by the cable news giant after a New York Times report that he had paid five women a total of $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims in the past.
Moore lost the special election to Democrat Doug Jones after The Washington Post reported that he sexually assaulted and pursued teenage girls while he was in his 30s.
Robert Kraft will not take the deal prosecutors have put forward, according to sources close to him. Lei Wang (right) is alleged to have performed hand stimulation and oral sex on the 77-year-old billionaire
When asked about Kraft, Trump took the same
