President Trump said in an interview broadcast Thursday that NFL team owners are "in a box," adding that they are "afraid" of players who protest during the national anthem.

"I have so many friends that are owners. And they're in a box. I mean, I've spoken to a couple of them, they say 'we are in a position where we have to do something,'" Trump told Fox News's "Fox and Friends." "I think they're afraid of their players, you want to know the truth. It's disgraceful."