Former President Donald Trump has publicly accused NBA star LeBron James of being potentially racist, escalating their long-standing public feud. The comments came just hours after James confirmed he would be returning to the NBA for his 24th season, signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
When asked to weigh in on the debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James for the greatest basketball player of all time, Trump stated, "Michael Jordan's a guy that's a friend of mine... and I think LeBron is—maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump, I don't know—but I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way."
James, 41, had announced his decision to continue playing in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, admitting he had considered retirement but felt he still had "more to give." He expressed excitement about joining the 76ers, a team that has not won an NBA championship since 1983, with the goal of competing for another title.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," James wrote in his statement. He also expressed gratitude to Los Angeles, while reaffirming his connection to Miami and Northeast Ohio.
The exchange between Trump and James dates back to at least 2017, when James publicly criticized Trump, calling him a "bum" after the president withdrew a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors. Trump has also preemptively banned teams from visiting the White House over public criticism from players.
James has been a vocal critic of Trump throughout his presidency, endorsing Democratic candidates and leading voting-rights initiatives. In a 2016 op-ed for the Akron Beacon Journal, James endorsed Hillary Clinton, citing her understanding of underprivileged youth. He has also spoken out about Trump's leadership, expressing frustration with his handling of the presidency and its impact on the nation's youth.
James joins a 76ers roster that includes Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey. His move to Philadelphia follows reports that the Cavaliers and Miami Heat were also contenders to sign him. James, who will turn 42 in December, is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has won four championships across his career.