In 2016, Kaepernick started a trend of kneeling during the playing of the national anthem.[24] Intended to protest the treatment of minorities in the United States,[24] the trend spread throughout the NFL and stirred political controversy.[25] President Donald Trump spoke out against the protests a number of times, and Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a 49ers game in October 2017 upon seeing players kneel.[26][27]