CNN's W. Kamau Bell slammed a vote to make swimmer Michael Phelps the U.S. flag-bearer during the Olympic Opening Ceremony, taking a shot at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE in the process.

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“No offense, but right now America has enough tall, successful, rich white guys hogging the spotlight trying to make America great,” Bell wrote in an open letter to Phelps last Thursday, making an obvious reference to Trump's campaign slogan.

"With 22 Olympic medals, you are already the most decorated athlete in Olympic history,” Bell, the host of CNN's "United Shades of America," also wrote.

The decision to have Phelps carry the flag during Friday's ceremony was made after a vote among U.S. athletes representing the U.S. in Rio de Janeiro.

Bell, 43, instead advocated for Ibtihaj Muhammad, a female American fencer of Muslim descent.

“Muhammad carrying the flag would be much bigger than your one moment,” Bell said.

“It would be a symbol for our country in this moment when we are mostly known for one of the most contentious, controversial, scandal-ridden, hateful, xenophobic, jingoistic, and just generally unlikable presidential elections in recent memory. This is at a time when we could use some more symbols of unity and togetherness.”

Bell also argued Muhammad served as “a one-stop inclusion shop due to her race, sex and religion."

Muhammad, a graduate of Duke University, is the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab.

Bell ends his letter by thanking Phelps "for stepping aside" as flag-bearer, although he never did, nor did he offer to do so.

As planned, Phelps led the delegation of American athletes in Rio's Maracana Stadium on Friday night.