Trump Calls LeBron James Maybe a Racist Amid 76ers Signing

Oval Office Comments on James and Jordan

During a press briefing at the White House on July 24, 2026, President Donald Trump addressed a reporter’s question regarding the long-standing debate over whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan holds the title of the greatest basketball player of all time. Trump, who has previously spoken of his personal friendship with Jordan, firmly sided with the retired Chicago Bulls legend. The President’s intervention occurred just as he was notified during the session of the 41-year-old player’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

President Donald Trump stated that he is friends with Michael Jordan and plays golf with him, describing him as a very good person. The President added that he believes LeBron James might be a racist who dislikes him, but because he only likes people who like him, he chooses Michael Jordan without reservation.

The President’s comments were delivered on the same day that LeBron James officially signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers. The move marks James’s entry into his 24th professional season, following a tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers that concluded after eight seasons.

A History of Political Tension

The friction between the President and the basketball star is not new. The public disagreement traces back to at least August 2018, when Trump tweeted that James had been made to look smart during a CNN interview with Don Lemon. At that time, James had publicly criticized the President, stating that he believed the administration was employing sports as a way to divide the country, and that he could not identify with such behavior.

In response to that 2018 critique, Trump fired back on what was then Twitter that James had made Lemon look smart despite Lemon being what the president called the dumbest man on television. Following that incident, Michael Jordan issued a public statement supporting James, noting that the four-time champion is doing excellent work for his community.

Trump revisited the comparison in 2020 during a Fox Sports Radio interview, where he stated he preferred Jordan because he wasn’t political. This contrast in public engagement remains a central theme in how the President frames his preference between the two athletes. Jordan, by contrast, has largely stayed out of politics throughout his career, famously avoiding public endorsements during his playing days.

LeBron James’s Transition to the 76ers

The timing of the President’s remarks coincided with the high-profile news of James’s departure from Los Angeles. During a recent appearance at Fanatics Fest NYC, James expressed gratitude for his time with the Lakers organization, calling his eight-year run an extraordinary journey. He specifically acknowledged the ownership of Jeanie Buss and the family, as well as the work of Rob Pelinka, the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers.

James enters the 2026-27 season with the 76ers as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

As the new season approaches, the public exchange underscores the enduring tension between the President and one of the league’s most outspoken figures. The feud remains as active as ever, with the President’s latest comments following a pattern that stretches back years.