Former US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by suggesting that basketball icon LeBron James might be 'a racist' during a White House news conference held on Friday. The remarks came just hours after James confirmed his decision to extend his illustrious career by joining the Philadelphia 76ers, following eight seasons with the LA Lakers.
When asked to compare James with fellow basketball legend Michael Jordan, a staunch critic of Trump's presidency, the former president responded by stating, "Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He's a really good guy. 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." James has yet to issue a public response to Trump's comments.
This latest exchange highlights a long-standing public feud between the two prominent figures. James has been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, notably endorsing his rival candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election. In a social media post, James, then 39, urged followers to "VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!!", accompanying his message with a video featuring clips of remarks he described as 'racist' and concluding with the caption: "Hate takes us back." Trump had previously mocked James in 2020 after the basketball player campaigned for then-candidate Joe Biden, even suggesting he 'felt badly' for James due to lower NBA Finals ratings.
LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, has had a distinguished career, securing four NBA titles and four MVP awards. While impressive, these statistics place him behind Michael Jordan's six titles and five MVP awards. Jordan's representatives were compelled to issue a statement denying any endorsement of Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 election, after fabricated social media posts circulated suggesting he had taken a political stance.
James's decision to continue playing, reportedly on a two-year deal worth approximately £6 million with the Sixers, marks his 24th season in the NBA. In a series of posts on his official X account, the four-time NBA champion reflected on his initial thoughts of retirement, stating, "I still truly love this game, and I have more to give." He expressed his desire to compete, win, and have a chance at another championship, adding, "I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energise a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time."