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As President Donald Trump prepared to fly to Indiana for his big tax reform speech, he took questions from reporters on a range of topics, including the national anthem protests that have swept the NFL.

He was asked why he defended white supremacists' right to protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, but now says NFL players shouldn't protest during the national anthem.

"You cannot have people disrespecting our national anthem, our flag, our country," Trump said. "And that's what they're doing."

He said the NFL is in a "really bad box," because the fans agree with him and the league's ratings are down.

"In my opinion, the NFL has to change. Or you know what's going to happen? Their business is going to go to hell," Trump said.

...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017

Great solidarity for our National Anthem and for our Country. Standing with locked arms is good, kneeling is not acceptable. Bad ratings! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017

Ratings for NFL football are way down except before game starts, when people tune in to see whether or not our country will be disrespected! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 26, 2017

"We have to show total respect for our national anthem, for our flag, for our country," Trump said. "When they're protesting during a football game, I think they can find better places. But they cannot do it during the national anthem."

Watch more above.

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