MJ and Melania Break Away from Trump, Publicly Support LeBron James
Say what you will about LeBron James, and there’s plenty to say about him, but he certainly has his fair share of supporters.
So when President Donald Trump ripped James on Twitter, the expected cabal of James’ supporters came out in droves on social media.
Trump needled James over both his intelligence and his own preference of retired NBA great Michael Jordan following a CNN interview.
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
The responses were swift and plentiful from James’ peers.
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
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
Statement to USA TODAY Sports from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who is in Johannesburg, South Africa for the third NBA Africa Game (in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation), in response to President Trump’s tweet about LeBron James and CNN’s Don Lemon pic.twitter.com/5Q01VX0bt6
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) August 4, 2018
While support from fellow NBA players and the commissioner was not at all unexpected, James also fielded support from some rather surprising places.
First, Michael Jordan issued a statement voicing his appreciation for James’ work in the community.
“I support (LeBron James),” Jordan said in the statement provided to NBC News. “He’s doing an amazing job for his community.”
In fairness to James, as divisive as he can be, he does do good work for the community. His new school, which helps out at-risk youth, and various initiatives to send students to college are all commendable.
That being said, James has also been rather hypocritical in blaming Trump for trying to divide people. James’ numerous attacks on Trump, including calling him a “bum,” are every bit as divisive as the very same comments that he claims to despise from Trump.
And while it’s little surprise that the NBA fraternity has come out to support James, he also received a rather unexpected bit of praise from first lady Melania Trump.
“It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation,” a statement issued by spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham read, per the Guardian. “And just as she always has, the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today.”
The statement also said that Melania Trump would be open to visiting James’ school for at-risk children.
“As you know, Mrs. Trump has traveled the country and world talking to children about their well-being, healthy living, and the importance of responsible online behavior with her Be Best initiative. Her platform centers around visiting organizations, hospitals and schools, and she would be open to visiting the I Promise School in Akron.”
Somewhat surprisingly, the president refrained from taking another jab at James at a campaign rally in Ohio on Saturday.
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