Tweeters erupted in anger after President Donald Trump trashed NBA superstar LeBron James on Friday night.
Trump used Twitter to bash both James and CNN host Don Lemon, after finally watching an interview between the pair that aired on Monday.
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
During the interview, James (who in July signed with the Los Angeles Lakers) accused Trump of enabling racists and using sports to divide the country.
Though James didn’t reply directly to Trump, he sent out a tweet Saturday afternoon that suggested he was more focused on the school he’s opening than pettiness on Twitter:
Let’s get it kids!! Love you guys https://t.co/kY88geedus — LeBron James (@KingJames) August 4, 2018
Earlier in the day, Lemon had responded to Trump with this tweet:
Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages? #BeBest https://t.co/XO50qVksnR — Don Lemon (@donlemon) August 4, 2018
CNN Communications also replied, tweeting, “Sounds like @FLOTUS had the remote last night” ― a reference to a report that Melania Trump was watching CNN aboard Air Force One, apparently to her husband’s displeasure.
Sounds like @FLOTUS had the remote last night. 📺 We hope you both saw the incredible work of @KingJames. #BeBesthttps://t.co/3Ok0z9Z6Ro — CNN Communications (@CNNPR) August 4, 2018
Many of James’ fellow NBA players rallied to support him:
So let me get this straight: Flint, MI has dirty water still, but you worried about an interview about a man doing good for education and generations of kids in his hometown? Shut your damn mouth! Stop using them twitter fingers and get stuff done for our country with that pen. https://t.co/sEkX3OKaJM — Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 4, 2018
I've been silent about ALL of the DUMB stuff this man has tweeted but THIS is attacking the NBA brotherhood and I'm not rollin'! What an embarrassment... https://t.co/zHjgokig8R — Anthony Tolliver (@ATolliver44) August 4, 2018
A sign of an insecure human being is one who attacks others to make themselves feel better... im just sad that young kids have to see stupid tweets like these and grow up thinking it’s okay... forget everything else Donald your setting a bad example for kids😑 our future 🤡 https://t.co/eg0MECg8xC — Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 4, 2018
And hundreds of Twitter users jumped to James’ defense ― with many highlighting how the basketball legend had this week opened a new school for at-risk children (a joint venture between Akron Public Schools and his foundation) in his hometown of Akron, Ohio:
NBA Twitter showing up for LeBron James to defend him against Trump like pic.twitter.com/PqLzu3MXo7 — Cameron Grant (@coolcam101) August 4, 2018
This week LeBron opened a school for hundreds of at-risk kids while Donald Trump's education secretary attempts to undo college loan forgiveness for students who were “knowingly deceived” by their schools and rolls back Obama-era guidelines on discrimination in schools. — TV's Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) August 4, 2018
LeBron James has done more good for this country in the last week as a basketball player than Trump has in a year and a half as President of the United States — Adam (@SixersAdam) August 4, 2018
If Michael Jordan joins twitter just to verbally smack down Trump for mentioning him in a tweet against LeBron James, the NBA should give MJ another ring. — Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) August 4, 2018
LeBron James wants to use sports to unite Americans.
Trump wants to use sports to divide Americans.
LeBron James just opened a school so kids can learn.
Trump has made it easier for kids to be shot at school.
LeBron James doesn’t have “small hands.”
Trump does. — Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) August 4, 2018
So Trump finally went at LeBron, huh? Shocked it took this long. Not shocked it happened during a week where LeBron literally opened a school for at-risk kids. — Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) August 4, 2018
Lebron’s school will make a more powerful and positive impact in more people’s than Trump could ever dream of. pic.twitter.com/fS4T9Z8qTe — jordan (@JordanUhl) August 4, 2018
LeBron puts children through school.
Trump puts children in cages. — Joseph Flynn (@ChinaJoeFlynn) August 4, 2018
Trump insulting LeBron the same week that he opened a school designed to support at-risk students is peak disgusting Trump. https://t.co/YRCjH05wd5 — Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) August 4, 2018
Now is a good time to re-watch LeBron James at the opening of a public school he funded to help under-privileged kids.pic.twitter.com/7AiF1eVKRb — Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) August 4, 2018
*LeBron James opens school for struggling families*
TRUMP: pic.twitter.com/fSqRXH9DEE — Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) August 4, 2018
Donald Trump is a terrible person who was born on third base but thinks he hit a triple.
LeBron James is a self-made legend and an even better human being.
Of course the President is jealous of the King. — Adam Best (@adamcbest) August 4, 2018
LeBron is everything Trump wishes he could be but isn't. A truly self-made man who was given nothing and gained everything, achieving the highest level of success solely through the merits of his talent and hard work, and who is respected, loved, and admired around the world. — Dustin Kent (@dustinjkent) August 4, 2018
RT if you’d much rather have LeBron James as president than Donald Trump. — Max Weiss (@maxthegirl) August 4, 2018
Trump has repeatedly singled out and attacked countless black athletes exclusively.
Ranging from Stephen Curry, LaVar Ball, LeBron James, and Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Marshawn Lynch and more.
Coincidence? Nah. — James Parkley 🇺🇸 (@jnarls) August 4, 2018
Dunno how every reply to this tweet isnt "U bum" https://t.co/dH0eKKQaC7 — Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) August 4, 2018
We got your back @KingJames 🙏🏾 Someone sure sound like they wish they was you. — Bobby Wagner (@Bwagz) August 4, 2018
Who TF is Mike? Michael Jordan? If so, this officially makes Lebron the GOAT, right? https://t.co/QXoZth7k4p — Stephen Robbins (@YakimaAbogado) August 4, 2018
You know what’s interesting about Trump ripping LeBron now? For the first part of his presidency, LeBron lives in Ohio, which Trump needs. Now Bron lives in Cali, which Trump doesn’t need because he can’t win there. Thus, Trump rips LeBron for the first time tonight — Joe Vardon (@joevardon) August 4, 2018
Dear Bron, I wrote you but you still ain't call me...pic.twitter.com/Gcd4hMLqLf — Tristan (@AyoTristan) August 4, 2018
It's not just that the "President" of the United States began attacking LeBron James at midnight. It's that that he retweeted Hannity, retweeted a wrestling guy, said something about fire extinguishers, retweeted Drudge four times, and THEN attacked LeBron James at midnight. — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) August 4, 2018
"LeBron is the damn GOAT put some respect on his name you orange..." pic.twitter.com/teXLe4Xqz7 — Dilip Sridhar (@dilipsridhar16) August 4, 2018
Here’s Trump heaping praise on LeBron a few years ago, while spelling “Miami” wrong: https://t.co/16yZ2CWens — Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) August 4, 2018
Imagine taking shots at LeBron after what he did this week. pic.twitter.com/h3yKvADXzy — Scott Cullen (@tsnscottcullen) August 4, 2018
LeBron living in the president's head rent free at midnight on a Friday. GOAT. — Sam (@simmonsclass) August 4, 2018
To the sporting world and largely beyond, he's King James, but to President Trump, LeBron James is no intellectual genius.
In a tweet, Trump took aim at two of his regular critics, James and cable TV news personality Don Lemon.
His tweet called Lemon the "the dumbest man on television," and then said Lemon "made LeBron look smart, which isn't easy to do."
Trump finished the tweet with "I like Mike!" an apparent reference to favoring NBA legend Michael Jordan in a comparison with James as perhaps the best NBA player ever.
James — who last month announced his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second time, this time to come to Los Angeles and play for the Lakers — gave an interview with Lemon on Monday, in large part to tout a new elementary school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
President Donald Trump took a shot at Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in a tweet Friday night.
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn't easy to do. I like Mike! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
James was interviewed by CNN's Don Lemon on Monday, after his LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron (Ohio) Public Schools launched a new elementary school for at-risk children in his hometown.
In the interview, James discussed the impact of sports and how it brings people together. He said he felt Trump was "using sports to kinda divide us."
"Sports has never been something that divides people," James told Lemon. "It's always been something that brings someone together."
Trump's tweet came four days after the CNN interview originally aired. In the tweet, Trump also appeared to take sides in the LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan debate, saying, "I like Mike!"
James has publicly criticized Trump before. In September 2017, he called Trump a "bum" for rescinding his invitation to the Golden State Warriors to celebrate their championship with a visit to the White House.
"Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!" James tweeted then.
Also that month, after Trump suggested that NFL players should be "fired" for "disrespecting the flag" when they take a knee or otherwise choose not to participate in the national anthem, James said Trump's conduct was unbecoming of someone in his position.
"He doesn't understand the power that he has for being the leader of this beautiful country," James said then. "He doesn't understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. He doesn't understand that, and that's what makes me more sick than anything, that we have someone that's ... this is the most, this is the No. 1 position in the world."
James has continued to be critical of the president and his policies, and in June, while still a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, James said neither his team nor the rival Warriors would accept an invitation to the White House after winning the NBA championship. Trump subsequently said neither team would be invited.
James made similar remarks regarding Trump and sports on Monday in an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, adding that he has no regrets about criticizing the president.
"For someone to try to divide us by using our platform of sport?" he told Nichols. "Sport has given me everything I could ever ask for. I couldn't let that happen."
As of late Friday night, James had not responded to the president's tweet.
