'Maybe He's A Racist': Donald Trump Reignites Feud With LeBron James During GOAT Debate
'Maybe He's A Racist': Donald Trump Reignites Feud With LeBron James During GOAT Debate Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 19:13 IST Donald Trump
'Maybe He's A Racist': Donald Trump Reignites Feud With LeBron James During GOAT Debate Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 19:13 IST Donald Trump called LeBron James "maybe a racist" while backing Michael Jordan as the NBA GOAT, reviving their long-running public feud after James' move to the 76ers. Rapid Read Trump and LeBron have been involved in quite the long-standing rivalry (Credit: AFP) US President Donald Trump reignited his long-running feud with NBA superstar LeBron James, suggesting the four-time champion “might be a racist" while weighing in on the sport’s greatest-of-all-time debate. Speaking during an Oval Office news conference, Trump was asked whether he considered James or Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player ever. While backing his longtime friend Jordan, the president took a swipe at James, with whom he has frequently clashed over politics. LeBron James announced Friday he’s joining the Sixers for the 2026-27 season, which will be his 24th as a pro.“Where do you stand on LeBron vs. Michael Jordan as the best ever?" A reporter asked President Trump.
“Well, Michael Jordan’s a guy that’s a friend of mine. Play golf… pic.twitter.com/B9Tw9i4v50 — CBS News (@CBSNews) July 24, 2026 “Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He’s a really good guy," Trump said. “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 publicly responded to Trump’s comments. Long-Running Public Feud Trump’s remarks are the latest chapter in a years-long war of words between the two high-profile figures. James has repeatedly criticised Trump during both of his presidencies and endorsed Democratic presidential candidates including Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In 2017, he famously called Trump “a bum" after the then-president withdrew a White House invitation to the NBA champion Golden State Warriors following a dispute involving Stephen Curry.
The political differences between the two have continued to spill into the public spotlight ever since. Fresh Start in Philadelphia Trump’s comments came just hours after James confirmed he would continue his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 41-year-old announced his move after ending an eight-season spell with the Los Angeles Lakers, joining a star-studded Philadelphia roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team," James wrote on social media. Widely regarded as one of basketball’s greatest players, James is a four-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP and the NBA’s all-time leader in points and games played. He will now chase a fifth championship ring with a franchise seeking its first NBA title since 1983. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Siddarth Sriram After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas.
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