United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy by labeling NBA superstar LeBron James “maybe a racist,” comments that came just as James announced his blockbuster move to the Philadelphia 76ers. The remarks, reported by BBC Sport, were made when Trump was asked to weigh in on the perennial debate of who is the “best ever” basketball player between James and Michael Jordan.
Trump’s Jordan preference and political jabs
At a White House news conference, President Trump explained his preference for Michael Jordan, citing a personal friendship and golf outings. He then pivoted to James, 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.”
The President’s comments underscore a long-standing political friction between the two figures. James has been a vocal critic of Trump throughout his presidency, famously calling him “a bum” in 2017 following a dispute over White House invitations for NBA-winning teams. Furthermore, James has openly endorsed Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris in their campaigns against Trump.
James joins 76ers amidst a storied career
The political jousting unfolded as the 41-year-old James confirmed on Friday his decision to continue his illustrious career with the Philadelphia 76ers. In a social media post, James expressed his ambition for his new team: “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team.” He joins a formidable roster that now includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.
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James’s move adds another chapter to a career already filled with historic achievements. He is the NBA’s all-time leader in points and games played, and has secured four NBA titles — two with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and one with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has also been named the league’s Most Valuable Player four times. In contrast, the 63-year-old Michael Jordan, favored by Trump, won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s and earned five NBA MVP awards during his career. As of now, James has not issued a response to President Trump’s latest comments.
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