Trump Attacks LeBron James: "Perhaps He's a Racist"

US President Donald Trump accused NBA star LeBron James of "perhaps being a racist" during a press conference on Friday. The attack comes amidst a political rivalry, with LeBron James being one of Trump's prominent critics in the sports world.

The moment unfolded when Peter Doocy of Fox News asked Trump who he considered the "greatest of all time" between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The question followed the 41-year-old player's recent move to the Philadelphia Sixers, nearly a month after his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Trump's response was direct and personal, favoring Jordan, with whom he shares a friendship. "Michael Jordan is a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He's a really cool guy," he began, before targeting LeBron James: "I think LeBron is... Maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump. I don't know. I only like people who like me, so I'd say Michael Jordan without hesitation."

LeBron James has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump. The basketball player publicly endorsed Trump's three opponents in recent presidential elections: Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Kamala Harris in 2024.

One of the most well-known episodes of this rivalry dates back to 2017, when Trump rescinded the Golden State Warriors' invitation to the White House to celebrate their NBA title. The decision came after Stephen Curry, the team's star, stated he would decline the visit. LeBron James defended Curry at the time, criticizing the president.

In terms of sporting achievements, 63-year-old Michael Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s and was named league MVP five times. LeBron James, meanwhile, boasts four championship rings and the same number of MVP awards, earned with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Lakers. LeBron James is also the NBA's all-time leading scorer and the player with the most games played in league history.