US President Donald Trump Calls LeBron James 'Racist' After Philadelphia 76ers Signing (Watch Video)
Former President Donald Trump controversially labeled NBA superstar LeBron James as 'maybe a racist' during an Oval Office discussion on Friday, July 24, 2026. These startling comments reignite a long-standing public feud, emerging just hours after the 41-year-old James announced his groundbreaking move to the Philadelphia 76ers for his record-setting 24th.
In a stunning Oval Office exchange yesterday, former President Donald Trump reignited his contentious rivalry with NBA icon LeBron James, speculating that the newly signed Philadelphia 76ers star could be 'racist.' The remarks came on Friday, July 24, 2026, following James' highly anticipated announcement that he would be joining the 76ers for his record-setting 24th professional season. LeBron James Sparks Philadelphia 76ers Rumours With 'Trust The Process' Shoutout.
Donald Trump on LeBron James
🚨 WOW! President Trump just RIPPED LeBron James, goes full MJ
Q: Where do you stand on LeBron vs Michael Jordan?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "LeBron is maybe a RACIST."
"Maybe he doesn't like Trump. I only like people who LIKE ME!" 🔥
"Michael Jordan ALL THE WAY." pic.twitter.com/XDvDiggaRL
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 24, 2026
Asked by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy to settle the perennial debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan for the title of the greatest basketball player ever, Trump unequivocally sided with Jordan. 'Michael Jordan's a guy that's a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He's a really good guy,' Trump stated. He then added, referring to James, 'And I think LeBron, 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.'
The Latest in a Long-Running Feud
The timing of Trump's comments, delivered at approximately 5:24 p.m. EDT, was notably just hours after 41-year-old James confirmed his two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. This move extends James' illustrious career into an unprecedented 24th season, further solidifying his place in NBA history. The former President, now 80, has a documented history of animosity towards James, repeatedly criticizing his intelligence and even, in September 2023, joking about trying to persuade James to become a transgender athlete.
LeBron James has been an outspoken critic of Trump throughout both of his presidential terms and beyond. The four-time NBA champion has publicly endorsed Trump's political rivals, backing Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Kamala Harris in 2024. Trump has frequently expressed his disdain for James, stating he is "not a fan". Novak Djokovic Plays Basketball, Tennis Icon Sinks Three Straight 3-Pointers at Fan Event (Watch Video).
James' Recent Career Move
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | LeBron James |
| New Team | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Contract | Two-year deal |
| Season | 24th NBA season (record-setting) |
While the exact motivation behind Trump's "racist" accusation against James remains "not immediately clear", the comments continue a pattern of public friction between the two prominent figures, underscoring the ongoing intersection of sports and politics in the United States.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2026 03:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
