Cyclist Quinn Simmons is suspended from US team for using 'internet blackface' emoji to respond to journalist who tweeted that Trump supporters should unfollow her
American cyclist Quinn Simmons was suspended by the Trek-Segafredo team on Thursday after posting antagonistic comments on social media in support of President Donald Trump.
The 19-year-old junior road race world champion reacted Wednesday when Dutch journalist José Been posted on Twitter that she hoped for her American friends that 'this horrible presidency ends,' adding 'if you follow me and support Trump, you can go.'
Simmons replied by writing 'Bye' with an emoji of a dark-skinned hand waving.
'Regrettably, team rider Quinn Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport,' Trek-Segafredo said in a statement. ' will not be racing for Trek-Segafredo until further notice.'
Simmons did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
American cyclist Quinn Simmons was suspended by the Trek-Segafredo team on Thursday after posting antagonistic comments on social media in support of President Donald Trump
The 19-year-old Quinn Simmons reacted Wednesday when Dutch journalist José Been posted on Twitter that she hoped for her American friends that 'this horrible presidency ends for you,' adding 'if you follow me and support Trump, you can go.' Simmons replied by writing 'Bye' with an emoji of a dark-skinned hand waving
Dutch journalist José Been tweeted later that she was upset that Simmons was banned
Simmons was quick to make it clear that he supports President Donald Trump
When one Twitter user replied 'Apparently a Trumper,' Simmons countered 'That's right' with a United States flag symbol.
Simmons is in his first season with the Trek-Segafredo team, which described him on its website as 'at his best in punchy one-day races ... he will be a perfect fit for the Classics team.'
The Simmons-Been exchange echoed throughout social media over the ensuing hours, with many applauding the cyclist's preference for Trump, or at least supporting his right to express his views without suspension.
Even Been, who is white, deleted her original post and wrote Thursday that she feels 'horrible about the situation and terrible for QuinnSimmons9 to miss his beloved classics.'
'To suspend him would never be my choice,' she added.
The Trek-Segafredo team responded to Simmons's comments in a statement on Wednesday
One Twitter user suggested to Simmons that he remain silent about his political beliefs
He thanked one Twitter user, who condemned anyone online trying to 'cancel' Simmons
Still, that Twitter user explained he thought Simmons was a 'd***' with a 'stupid f***ing opinion'
Some Simmons fans wanted him to ignore politics in public, and instead just focus on racing.
'My man, I'm a huge fan of your racing,' another Twitter user wrote to Simmons. 'It's truly best to stay quiet about conservative political views. They don't call us the "silent majority" for nothing. Stay strong, stay quiet, and let the legs do the talking.'
Others felt both Simmons and the team were justified in their actions.
'Quinn Simmons is free to profess his political beliefs,' Guardian Tour de France correspondent Jeremy Whittle tweeted. 'Equally @TrekSegafredo are free to decide whether those beliefs sit well with a brand whose men's team wore "No To Racism" masks at the TDF in support of BLM and that also invests significantly in women's racing.'
Joe Papp, a self-proclaimed anti-doping advocate and author, accused Simmons of engaging in 'internet blackface' for his use a dark-skinned hand emoji on Twitter.
Cycling enthusiast John Galloway defended Simmons's position to a point, writing that he would not 'cancel' the young cyclist over his comments.
When Simmons responded by writing 'Thank you!' on Twitter, Galloway snapped back: 'Don't thank me. I think you're a d***. Just entitled to your stupid f***ing opinion.'
Another cycling enthusiast simply responded: 'Cheering against Quinn Simmons forever.'
Joe Papp, a proclaimed anti-doping advocate and author, accused Simmons of engaging in 'internet blackface' for his use a dark-skinned hand emoji on Twitter
