By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
United States president Donald Trump reignited his long-standing feud with LeBron James, suggesting the four-time NBA champion might be ‘a racist’ during an Oval Office press conference. The unexpected remarks came immediately following Friday’s official announcement that the 41-year-old superstar intends to sign a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia 76ers for a record-setting 24th season.
The political and sports worlds collided when a reporter asked the 80-year-old commander-in-chief to weigh in on the perennial debate over whether James or Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan deserves the title of the greatest basketball player of all time. Rather than evaluating their athletic accomplishments, Trump framed his answer entirely around personal relationships and partisan loyalty.
“Well, Michael Jordan is a guy that is a friend of mine,” he told reporters. “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.”
Trump: “Maybe LeBron is 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.” pic.twitter.com/57WNqHWSHH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2026
This sharp critique marks the latest chapter in a nearly decade-long public rivalry between the prominent figures.
The Akron native has historically been a vocal opponent of the administration, using his platform to criticize the executive’s rhetoric on race and openly endorsing adversarial campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024. The president has frequently retaliated by mocking the forward’s intelligence on social media.
While the future Hall of Famer moving to the Sixers to wrap up his legendary career originally dominated headlines, the explosive commentary shifted the narrative directly back into the political arena.
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