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

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th July, 23:12 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

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

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