President Donald Trump said on Friday that LeBron James might be a racist while weighing in on the NBA's greatest player debate [1].
The comments follow the news that James is joining the Philadelphia 76ers, a move that has reignited public discussion regarding his legacy and standing compared to Michael Jordan.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump addressed the question of who is the greatest of all time. He dismissed James in favor of Jordan, citing a personal friendship and a shared interest in golf [3].
"I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way," Trump said [2].
Trump also questioned the character of the basketball star. "Maybe LeBron is a racist. But maybe he doesn't like Trump. I don't know," Trump said [2].
Reports on the nature of the exchange vary. Some sources said the president was asked about the debate in the Oval Office, while other reports described the comments as an unprompted attack [3].
Trump's preference for Jordan remains tied to their personal rapport. He said that Jordan is a friend of his, which informs his view on the sports debate [3].
The remarks occurred on July 24, 2026 [1], as the sports world reacts to the shift in the NBA landscape caused by the James transition to Philadelphia.
“"Maybe LeBron is a racist. But maybe he doesn't like Trump. I don't know."”
This interaction highlights the intersection of professional sports and political polarization in the U.S. By linking a sports legacy debate to personal loyalty and accusations of racism, the president frames athletic greatness not through statistics, but through political alignment and personal affinity.
