President Trump responded Thursday to the three UCLA players who thanked him for his role in helping secure their release from China on shoplifting charges.
Trump said “you’re welcome” and then encouraged the players to have a great life while being cautious.
To the three UCLA basketball players I say: You’re welcome, go out and give a big Thank You to President Xi Jinping of China who made…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2017
….your release possible and, HAVE A GREAT LIFE! Be careful, there are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2017
A day earlier, Trump wondered if the three players — LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hall — would thank him for his role in the process. The three freshmen thanked him later in the afternoon during a press conference to address the incident.
On Tuesday, Trump reached out to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the shoplifting incident, and later that night, the players returned to the United States.
Ball, Riley and Hall were suspended indefinitely Wednesday from UCLA’s men’s basketball team and admitted they shoplifted in China.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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