Trump claims LeBron James could be a racist in press conference
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 6:36 AM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
During a White House press conference, President Donald Trump suggested that LeBron James might be 'a racist' while discussing who he believes is the greatest basketball player, favoring Michael Jordan. This comment follows James' announcement that he will play for the Philadelphia 76ers, teaming up with All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. James has been openly critical of Trump in the past and has endorsed Democrat candidates in multiple elections. He is pursuing a fifth NBA title with the 76ers after previous championships with different teams.
- •Trump favors Michael Jordan over LeBron James in the GOAT debate.
- •James announced joining the Philadelphia 76ers before Trump's comments.
- •James is a four-time NBA champion and all-time points leader.
- •Trump's comments may influence public perception in the NBA discourse.
- •James has historically criticized Trump, calling him 'a bum' in 2017.
- 11:03 AMYahoo Sports — 'Maybe he's a racist': Donald Trump hits out at NBA star LeBron James
- 9:35 AMThe Guardian Sport — ‘Maybe he’s a racist’: Donald Trump takes bizarre swipe at NBA great LeBron James
- 6:36 AMYahoo Sports — 'Maybe he's a racist' - Trump critical of James
- 6:36 AMBBC Sport — 'Maybe he's a racist' - Trump critical of James
- 9:35 PMYahoo Sports — Trump Attacks LeBron James in Oval Office Rant: ‘Maybe He’s a Racist…’
"US president responds to question about NBA’s ‘best ever’ James backed three candidates who ran against Trump In a bizarre response to being asked to weigh in on the basketball careers of Michael Jordan and LeBron James, the US president Donald Trump said that James might be “a racist”. In Friday’s White House press conference, the Fox News reporter Peter Doocy mentioned that James intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, then asked the president whether Jordan or James is the “best ever”. Continue reading...
"United States President Donald Trump has hit out at LeBron James when asked whether he or Michael Jordan is the best NBA player in history. "Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine.
"Trump said he would pick Michael Jordan as the best basketball player ever over LeBron James because he is a golf buddy and because James might be "racist"
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 11:03 AM'Maybe he's a racist': Donald Trump hits out at NBA star LeBron James
United States President Donald Trump has hit out at LeBron James when asked whether he or Michael Jordan is the best NBA player in history. "Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine.
- The Guardian SportJul 25, 2026, 9:35 AM‘Maybe he’s a racist’: Donald Trump takes bizarre swipe at NBA great LeBron James
US president responds to question about NBA’s ‘best ever’ James backed three candidates who ran against Trump In a bizarre response to being asked to weigh in on the basketball careers of Michael Jordan and LeBron James, the US president Donald Trump said that James might be “a racist”. In Friday’s White House press conference, the Fox News reporter Peter Doocy mentioned that James intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, then asked the president whether Jordan or James is the “best ever”. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 6:36 AM'Maybe he's a racist' - Trump critical of James
United States President Donald Trump said LeBron James might be "a racist" when asked if the basketball star is the "best ever" to play the sport.
- BBC SportJul 25, 2026, 6:36 AM'Maybe he's a racist' - Trump critical of James
United States President Donald Trump said LeBron James might be "a racist" when asked if the basketball star is the "best ever" to play the sport.
- Yahoo SportsJul 24, 2026, 9:35 PMTrump Attacks LeBron James in Oval Office Rant: ‘Maybe He’s a Racist…’
Trump said he would pick Michael Jordan as the best basketball player ever over LeBron James because he is a golf buddy and because James might be "racist"
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 2:10 AMNuggets reportedly hiring Dave Joerger as lead assistant under David Adelman
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 2:05 AMJames’s Sixers are expected to get the maximum 34 …
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 2:05 AM‘The Saga of the Poor Heat Staffer’ — ESPN NBA Insider Reveals the Truth Behind Miami’s LeBron James YouTube Gaffe
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 2:00 AMBill Reiter: LeBron James a ‘mercenary’ who didn’t love Los Angeles
NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 1:40 AMMiami Heat vs Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 1:40 AMMiami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets
