Trump Calls LeBron James ‘Maybe a Racist,’ Says He Prefers Michael Jordan

WASHINGTON (BAMM Network) — President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of NBA superstar LeBron James on Friday, suggesting the basketball icon may be “a racist” while declaring Michael Jordan the greatest player in league history.

Trump made the comments in the Oval Office after Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked whether James should be considered the greatest NBA player of all time following his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers.

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While sitting in the Oval Office during a Press Conference Friday, President Donald Trump responded to a question comparing NBA player LeBron James to former NBA player Michael Jordan. (The White House | Friday, July 24, 2026)

“I think LeBron is — maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know,” Trump said. “But I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”

Trump said Jordan is a friend and noted that the two have played golf together. He did not explain why he described James as possibly racist.

The remarks came hours after James announced he would sign with the 76ers for what is expected to be the 24th and final season of his record-setting NBA career. The 41-year-old is the league’s all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships.

James and Trump have publicly clashed for years.

James endorsed Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign and has repeatedly criticized Trump’s leadership and rhetoric. In 2017, James called Trump a “bum” after the president withdrew a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors following the team’s NBA championship.

The following year, James accused Trump of using sports to divide the country during an interview with CNN. Trump responded on social media by insulting the intelligence of both James and interviewer Don Lemon before adding, “I like Mike!” Jordan later issued a statement supporting James and praising his community work.

Friday’s comments again placed James and Jordan at the center of the long-running debate over the greatest player in NBA history, but Trump framed his choice partly around James’ personal opposition to him rather than their basketball accomplishments.

James had not publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks as of Friday evening.