Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail to someone

Other than occasionally attending Knicks games prior to assuming the Oval Office, Donald Trump hadn’t had much of a presence in the world of basketball, especially in comparison to his favored sports of golf, football and baseball.

President/sports commentator Donald Trump tweets about NBA star LeBron James

But then came a late-night 2018 tweet in which Trump took aim at the best basketball player on the planet…

TRUMP TRASH TWEETS LEBRON

Trump took to his favorite platform to cast aspersions at the intelligence of CNN anchor Don Lemon and NBA star LeBron James a couple days after the above interview aired in which both parties lamented the President’s divisiveness.

The last line of Trump’s tweet — I like Mike — also suggested his alignment with frequent James detractor Skip Bayless in opting for Michael Jordan over James in the GOAT debate. MJ and a slew of other sports stars weren’t having any of it.

NBA STARS REACT

During a week in which James celebrated the opening of a public school he helped fund for at-risk children, NBA stars came to his defense in droves.

NFL STARS REACT

NFL players — both present and past — who have been a frequent target of Trump’s derision, similarly expressed their distaste for his attack on The King.

FIRST LADIES REACT

Even First Lady Melania Trump felt the need to express her support for LeBron after her husband’s attack, while former First Lady Hillary Clinton also lauded James’ community service…

NO WHITE HOUSE INVITE

The year before, Trump’s animus toward the NBA was made clear when he withdrew a White House invitation to the then champion Golden State Warriors who had already decided they wouldn’t attend the customary function.

WHITE HOUSE INVITE

On September 5, 2019, Trump had The Logo himself, Jerry West, to the White House to present the Hall of Fame guard with the Medal of Freedom. If West’s Clippers win the NBA title this coming season, will they become the first NBA team to go to the White House since Trump became POTUS? Stay tuned…

KEYBOARD WARRIOR

Most recently, the President took a break from impeachment worries to keep up his beef with the Golden State Warriors, Trump disparaged head coach Steve Kerr for not taking a definitive position on China’s involvement in Hong Kong (which the President himself has not done). POTUS then oddly reiterated his un-invitation to the White House more than a year removed from the Dubs winning their last championship.