In a discussion comparing basketball legends, President Donald Trump suggested that NBA superstar LeBron James might be "maybe a racist" while throwing his support behind Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump weighed in on the ongoing debate over who is the greatest basketball player of all time by focusing on personal relationships rather than sports statistics.
"Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine. Play golf with him. He’s a really good guy," Trump said. He then contrasted Jordan with James, stating, "I think Lebron is – maybe he’s a racist. Maybe he doesn’t like Trump. But I only like people that like me. So I would say Michael Jordan all the way."
James, who recently made headlines on July 24 by signing as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers, is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion, and a four-time Olympic medalist. Throughout his career, he has also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan, a retired six-time champion with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, famously paused his basketball career for two years at the peak of his abilities to play professional baseball. Because the two stars played in different eras, fans frequently debate their legacies.
Trump's remarks drew a swift defense of James from Rep. Emilia Sykes, a Democrat from Ohio. Sykes praised James as a role model for both children and adults, highlighting his athletic achievements and extensive philanthropic work. "If you come for The King, @LeBronJames, you best not miss," Sykes wrote on social media, adding, "The president did."
The tension between Trump and James dates back to a CNN interview with Don Lemon, during which James criticized the president. In that interview, James accused Trump of "using sports to kinda divide us, and that's something that I can't relate to." Trump subsequently fired back on the social media platform then known as Twitter, claiming James made Lemon look smart despite Lemon being "the dumbest man on television."
