Trump calls LeBron James ‘Maybe a Racist,’ backs Michael Jordan in GOAT debate
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- U.S. President Donald Trump suggested NBA star LeBron James is "maybe a racist" and stated he only likes people who like him.
- Trump endorsed Michael Jordan in the debate over the greatest basketball player of all time, calling Jordan a friend.
- The remarks continue a long-standing public dispute between Trump and James, who has previously criticized the president's rhetoric on race and division.
U.S. President Donald Trump reignited his public feud with NBA superstar LeBron James, labeling the basketball icon "maybe a racist" during a press briefing. Trump made the comments Friday in the Oval Office when asked to compare James with NBA legend Michael Jordan.
LeBron is, maybe he's a racist. Maybe he doesn't like Trump, I don't know. But I only like people who like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.
"LeBron is, maybe he's a racist. Maybe he doesn't like Trump, I don't know. But I only like people who like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way," Trump stated. He added that Jordan is a personal friend with whom he plays golf, describing him as a "really good guy."
This latest exchange escalates the years-long dispute between the two figures. James has been a vocal critic of Trump, notably accusing the president in a 2018 interview of using sports to exacerbate divisions in America. James famously called Trump a "bum" on social media in 2017 after Trump withdrew a White House invitation for the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
We’re in a position right now in America where this race thing has taken over because I believe our president is kind of trying to divide us.
Trump has continued to criticize James over the years, particularly after the NBA star endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Trump has frequently appeared at major sporting events during his second term, including the NBA Finals, FIFA World Cup final, and the Super Bowl. His presence at the NBA Finals in New York was met with some boos from the audience.
Michael Jordan’s a guy that’s a friend of mine, play golf with him. He’s a really good guy.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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