Trump Calls LeBron James 'Maybe a Racist' After 2-Year, $8 Million 76ers Deal

Q: Did Trump’s Jordan-over-LeBron pick reveal more about basketball greatness or personal loyalty as James begins a new chapter with the 76ers?

Trump’s answer revealed more about personal loyalty than a fresh evaluation of basketball greatness. The key evidence is in his own explanation. In the Oval Office, Trump did not make a statistical or era-based case for Michael Jordan over LeBron James. He said Jordan is “a really good guy,” called him a friend, and added that he likes people who like him, while suggesting James may not. That frames the choice less as a basketball argument and more as a relationship-driven judgment. The basketball case for Jordan is still strong on its own. Jordan’s six championships, five MVPs and record 30.1 points per game make him a legitimate pick in any GOAT debate. But James’ résumé is equally historic: all-time leader in points and games played, four championships, four MVPs, and unmatched longevity entering a 24th season. Because both players have credible claims, the deciding factor in Trump’s answer appears to have been personal affinity, not a neutral weighing of records. That matters in the context of James’ move to Philadelphia. His reported two-year, $8 million deal has shifted attention back to his legacy and final championship pursuit. Trump’s remarks tapped into that moment, but they did not add much new to the basketball debate itself. So the episode says less about settling Jordan versus LeBron and more about how public figures often answer sports questions through personal relationships as much as performance.

3 articles · Updated · CNN International · Jul 24

Trump told reporters Friday that LeBron James was "maybe a racist" and said he preferred Michael Jordan after being asked about James's move to Philadelphia and the Jordan comparison.
The president tied the jab to politics rather than basketball, saying, "I only like people that like me," while praising Jordan as a friend he golfs with.
James had announced earlier Friday that he would return for a record 24th NBA season by signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers instead of retiring.
The exchange extends a feud dating to 2017, when James called Trump a "bum" after a White House dispute; James later backed Biden in 2020 and Harris in 2024.