President Donald Trump sparked fresh debate after suggesting that NBA superstar LeBron James “might be a racist” during a White House news conference, where he was asked to weigh in on the long-running discussion over basketball’s greatest player.
The comments came shortly after James announced on Friday, July 24, that he will continue his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers. The four-time NBA champion signed a two-year deal after deciding not to retire, describing the move as the “last decision” of his playing career.
When reporters asked Trump whether he considers LeBron James or Michael Jordan the greatest player in NBA history, the president quickly backed Jordan.
“Michael Jordan is a friend of mine,” Trump said. “I play golf with him. He’s a really good guy.”
He then turned his attention to James, adding, “I think LeBron is, maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”
Trump and James have had a strained relationship for years. The Lakers star has frequently criticized Trump during both of his presidencies and publicly endorsed Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris in their campaigns against him.
One of their most notable public clashes occurred in 2017 when James called Trump “a bum” during a dispute over White House invitations traditionally extended to championship-winning sports teams.
Despite the political back-and-forth, James remains one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. He has won four NBA championships with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers, earned four league MVP awards, and holds the NBA records for both career points and games played.
With his move to the Philadelphia 76ers, James will now pursue what could be the fifth NBA championship of his career in what he has indicated will be the final chapter of his time in the league.
