Trump calls LeBron James 'maybe a racist', picks Michael Jordan as basketball's greatest

Oval Office remarks

On Friday, President Trump held a news conference in the Oval Office where he was asked to weigh in on the perennial debate: LeBron James or Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time. The question came hours after James, 41, announced he would join the Philadelphia 76ers for his 24th NBA season. James wrote on X: "I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team, and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time." James, a four-time NBA champion and the league's all-time leading scorer, will chase a fifth ring. Trump replied by calling Jordan a friend and a "really good guy," then suggested James might be a racist. The White House did not elaborate, and a representative for James declined to comment.

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.

A history of mutual criticism

The exchange is the latest chapter in a long-running public feud. James called Trump a "bum" in 2017 after the Golden State Warriors skipped the traditional White House visit for NBA champions. Trump responded in 2018 with a tweet: "LeBron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made LeBron look smart, which isn't easy to do." James endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Kamala Harris late in the 2024 presidential race. During his second term, Trump has promoted the idea that white Americans are victims of discrimination.

Other sports interventions

The same Oval Office session touched on several other sports controversies. Trump called a two-shot penalty against golfer Bryson DeChambeau at this month's Open a "tough call," saying he had been watching similar situations. The Independent reported that the two-time major winner wanted to involve Trump in the matter while in discussions with officials. Trump also asked FIFA to review the red card issued to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina; the one-match ban was suspended for a year, allowing Balogun to play in the last-16 loss to Belgium. Trump praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino for his role. He also thanked Spanish World Cup winner Ferran Torres for wearing a "Make Spain Great Again" cap during the team's celebration.

He's a great player and he was wearing a MAGA hat. It was a nice tribute, and I think he did it with very good intentions. We appreciate it. It was a great compliment.