President Donald Trump publicly suggested basketball star LeBron James might be racist during a Friday press conference, marking the latest escalation in a decade-long feud between the two public figures that began when James endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016.
President Questions NBA Star’s Character
When reporters asked Trump to compare James with basketball legend Michael Jordan following James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers, the president responded directly. Trump told journalists that Jordan remains a friend who plays golf with him, while questioning James’ character. The president stated he only likes people who reciprocate positive feelings, declaring his preference for Jordan. The comment came hours after James announced his return for a record 24th NBA season.
Trump specifically mentioned his friendship with Jordan as a factor in his assessment, describing the retired basketball legend as a good person. The president drew a clear contrast between his relationship with Jordan and his ongoing conflict with James, who recently signed with the 76ers for what will be his final professional season.
Years of Public Confrontation
The conflict between Trump and James dates back to the 2016 presidential campaign when James endorsed Clinton, writing that America needed a president who unifies citizens. After Trump’s victory, James posted on social media calling Trump a bum when the president rescinded a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors championship team in September 2017.
Trump responded to James in 2018 after the athlete criticized him during a CNN interview about attacks on Black athletes protesting racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. The president wrote that the interview made James look smart, which he suggested was difficult to accomplish. James continued opposing Trump by endorsing Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, citing concerns about how his children would grow up.
Pattern of Athletic Criticism
James joins a list of professional athletes Trump has publicly criticized since entering politics a decade ago. NBA stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have also faced presidential criticism during Trump’s political career. Before the Friday comments, Trump had occasionally targeted James while praising Jordan, maintaining a pattern of contrasting the two basketball stars. James posted support for Harris ahead of the 2024 election alongside video clips of controversial Trump statements, explaining his decision centered on his family’s future.