Donald Trump says LeBron James might be ‘a racist’

‘But maybe he doesn’t like Trump, I don’t know’

As he was speaking hours after James confirmed his career will continue with a move to the Philadelphia 76ers, Trump was asked who was the best ever basketball player between Michael Jordan and James.

The 41-year-old, who has been a staunch critic of Trump’s presidency, had been considering his retirement from the NBA after playing his last game for the LA Lakers following eight seasons.

“Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine,” Trump said.

“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 not responded to the comments made by Trump.

LeBron James' history of support for Trump's rivals

James had publicly endorsed Trump’s rival candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election.

In a message posted to social media, he wrote: “What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!!”

That post shared by LeBron also included a video featuring clips of racist remarks made by Trump and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, ending with the caption: “Hate takes us back.”

A few years earlier, in 2020, Trump, then a Republican candidate, mocked James after he campaigned for President Joe Biden.

At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump said he “felt badly” for James – who had just won his fourth NBA Championship – because Finals ratings were considerably down.

The crowd then erupted into chants of “LeBron James sucks,” to which Trump responded: “What a crowd!”