Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Donald Trump said LeBron James might be “a racist” during a news conference at the White House on Friday.
Trump was speaking hours after James confirmed his career will continue with a move to the Philadelphia 76ers. The 41-year-old had been considering his retirement from the NBA after playing his last game for the LA Lakers following eight seasons.
Trump was asked who was the best ever basketball player between Michael Jordan and James, a staunch critic of Trump’s presidency.
“Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine,” Trump said. “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 has not responded to the comment.
The six foot nine inch James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, began his illustrious career with Cleveland, twice winning the championship with Miami before returning to the Cavaliers to claim a third and adding a fourth with the Lakers.
His four titles and four MVP awards trail Jordan’s six titles and five MVP awards.
James publicly endorsed Trump’s rival candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 US presidential election. In a message posted to social media, the 39-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star wrote: “What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!!”
The post also included a video featuring clips of racist remarks made by Trump and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, ending with the caption: “Hate takes us back.”
LeBron James supported Hillary Clinton in her election defeat by Donald Trump in 2016 (AFP/Getty)
In 2020, Republican candidate Trump mocked James after he campaigned for President Joe Biden. At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump said he “felt badly” for James – who had just won his fourth NBA Championship – because Finals ratings were considerably down.
He added: “I didn’t watch one shot. I get bored.”
The crowd then erupted into chants of “LeBron James sucks,” to which Trump responded: “What a crowd!”
Jordan was forced to deny he had endorsed Trump response, after fake social media posts suggested he had taken sides.
In a statement to The Independent, Jordan’s representatives strenuously denied that the basketball icon had endorsed either candidate leading up to the election. “There is absolutely no truth to the claim that Michael Jordan has made an endorsement in the presidential election,” they said.
James has decided to join the Sixers, reportedly on a two-year deal worth around £6m.
In a series of posts on his official X account, the four-times NBA champion said as he prepares to embark upon a 24th campaign: “I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game.
“I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.
“The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out.
“This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energise a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.
“Thank you LA. Miami, I’ll forever love and north-east Ohio will always (be) home!”