Trump Suggests LeBron James May Be Racist in Latest Feud Escalation
Qwenews.com – President Donald Trump has once again turned his attention to basketball icon LeBron James, suggesting the NBA superstar may be “a racist.” During a press interaction on Friday, Trump offered his reasoning, stating simply that “I only like people that like me.” The comments came as reporters questioned Trump about James’ recent decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers and whether he considered James superior to basketball legend Michael Jordan in terms of playing ability.
“Well, Michael Jordan’s a guy that’s a friend of mine,” Trump explained to the gathered media. “I think LeBron is, maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump.” He continued, “I don’t know, but I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.” These remarks mark yet another chapter in the ongoing public disagreement between the president and the basketball star, who had just announced on Friday that he would continue his career for a record 24th season in the NBA rather than retiring.
A History of Public Disagreement
The current tension between Trump and James dates back to the 2016 presidential election, when James publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton. At that time, the athlete wrote that “we need a president who brings us together and keeps us unified.” Following Trump’s victory in that election, the two figures clashed more directly when the president rescinded a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors after their championship triumph. James responded with a simple but pointed social media post in September 2017: “U bum.”
“Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!” Trump lashed out at James the next year, writing that an interview the NBA all-star had done with then-CNN correspondent Don Lemon had “made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.”
During that interview, James had criticized Trump for his attacks on Black athletes who were choosing to kneel in protest against racial injustice during the national anthem. Since that exchange, Trump has occasionally targeted James while simultaneously highlighting his admiration for Jordan, who he mentioned on Friday had played golf with him and was “a really good guy.”
James has maintained a consistent political trajectory, having endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and then supporting Kamala Harris in her unsuccessful 2024 presidential run against Trump. “When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me,” James wrote on X ahead of the 2024 election, accompanying his statement with a video compilation of Trump’s offensive remarks.
The basketball star represents just one prominent professional athlete whom Trump has publicly criticized since beginning his first presidential campaign over a decade ago. That list of targeted athletes has at various points included other NBA stars such as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, demonstrating Trump’s willingness to engage with sports figures who have voiced criticism of his policies or personal conduct.
