Jul 24, 2026

Trump Calls LeBron James ‘Maybe a Racist,’ Picks Michael Jordan as NBA GOAT

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in sport

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Washington, D.C. – July 24, 2026 — President Donald Trump stirred fresh controversy Friday by suggesting NBA superstar LeBron James “maybe he’s a racist” who doesn’t like him, while declaring his preference for Michael Jordan as the greatest player of all time during an Oval Office exchange with reporters.

The remarks came in response to questions about James’s illustrious career, just hours after the four-time NBA champion announced his signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year deal.

Trump, who has long described himself as “not a fan” of James, framed his assessment around personal affinity rather than on-court achievements.

Asked directly by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy whether LeBron James ranks as the NBA’s greatest player ever, Trump pivoted to his longstanding friendship with Michael Jordan, noting they have golfed together.

He praised Jordan as a “really good guy” and made clear his preference for the six-time champion.

The President’s comments underscore a familiar theme in his public persona: evaluating figures through the lens of personal loyalty.

“I only like people that like me,” he remarked in the exchange, blending sports commentary with his characteristic blunt style.

LeBron James, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential athletes of his generation, has been vocal on social and political issues over the years — positions that have occasionally drawn Trump’s ire.

The timing of Trump’s remarks, coinciding with James’s move to the 76ers, adds another layer to the long-running narrative intersecting sports and politics in America.

Social media and sports circles were quick to react, with opinions splitting along familiar lines: some viewing the comments as typical Trump candor, others as unnecessary provocation in an already polarized landscape.

This is not the first time Trump has publicly contrasted James and Jordan. The latest episode highlights how even debates over athletic greatness remain entangled with broader cultural and political divides.

As the NBA offseason unfolds and the 76ers gain a marquee addition in James, the President’s intervention ensures the sports world will once again grapple with questions far beyond the court.