×

President Trump says of LeBron James: ‘Maybe he’s a racist’

By Thomson Reuters Jul 24, 2026 | 10:25 PM

President Donald Trump, asked to weigh in on the basketball careers of Michael Jordan and LeBron James, said Friday that ​James might be a racist.

In a White ‌House press conference, Fox News’ Peter Doocy mentioned the Friday news that James intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, then asked the president whether Jordan or ‌James ​is the “best ever.”

Trump replied, “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 ​endorsed the three candidates that ran against Trump in ​the past three presidential elections: Hillary Clinton ‌in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

James also criticized Trump following the president’s withdrawal of the Warriors’ invitation to the ⁠White House in 2017, after Golden State star Stephen Curry stated that he would have declined the ⁠visit.

Jordan, 63, won ‌six NBA titles for the ⁠Chicago Bulls in the 1990s and ​was ‌a five-time league MVP.

James, 41, owns ​four NBA ⁠championship rings and has been selected MVP four times during his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He is the NBA’s all-time leader in points and games played.

–Field ​Level Media