Former President Donald Trump reignited his public feud with NBA legend LeBron James on Friday, suggesting the basketball star 'maybe' holds racist views during a debate over who is the greatest player of all time. The comments came hours after James announced he would sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his 24th season in the NBA.
Core Facts and Context
Trump, when asked about the GOAT debate, praised Michael Jordan as a friend and golfing partner, then pivoted to James. 'Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He’s a really good guy, and I think LeBron is, maybe, he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know, but I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way,' Trump said. The remarks follow years of public tension between the two, dating back to 2017 when James called Trump a 'bum' after the then-president disinvited Golden State Warriors players from a White House visit.
Background and Perspectives
James has frequently criticized Trump, endorsing Democratic candidates and advocating for voting rights. In 2021, Trump accused James of being 'racist' after the NBA star condemned a police officer involved in the shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant, a 16-year-old in Columbus, Ohio. James had shared a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) featuring the officer with the caption, 'you’re next #accountability.' Trump responded by calling James' remarks 'divisive, nasty, insulting, and demeaning.'
The exchange underscores a broader ideological divide, with James using his platform to address social justice issues, while Trump has framed such activism as harmful to the NBA. The league has faced declining television ratings in recent years, a point Trump highlighted in his 2021 statement. James, meanwhile, has accused Trump of fostering racism, stating in 2018 that the then-president 'has given people and racism, negative racism, an opportunity to be out and outspoken without fear.'