President Donald Trump stated that LeBron James might be a racist during a White House press conference on Friday. The comment came after Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked the president whether James or Michael Jordan is the best basketball player of all time, while also mentioning that James intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Trump expressed a preference for Jordan, stating that he is a friend and a really good guy with whom he plays golf. Regarding James, Trump said, "maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump," and concluded that because he only likes people who like him, he would choose Michael Jordan all the way.
James has endorsed the candidates who ran against Trump in the past three presidential elections, including Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Kamala Harris in 2024. James also criticized Trump following the president's withdrawal of the Golden State Warriors' invitation to the White House in 2017, after Stephen Curry stated he would have declined the visit.
Michael Jordan, 63, won six NBA titles and was a five-time league MVP during his tenure with the Chicago Bulls. LeBron James, 41, has four NBA championship rings and four MVP selections from his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, and is the NBA's all-time leader in points and games played.