President Trump is criticizing Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James after the player said the president is divisive.
“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon,” Mr. Trump tweeted late Friday night. “He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!”
“Mike” was an apparent reference to retired NBA legend Michael Jordan.
In an interview with Mr. Lemon on CNN, Mr. James said he feels that the president is “using sports to kinda divide us.”
“Sports has never been something that divides people,” Mr. James said. “It’s always been something that brings someone together.”
Asked what he would say to Mr. Trump if the president was sitting with him, Mr. James replied, “I would never sit across from him.”
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“You would never, you don’t want to talk to him?” Mr. Lemon asked.
“No. I’d sit across from Barack, though,” he said.
Mr. James has clashed with the president before. In September 2017, he called Mr. Trump a “bum” for rescinding his invitation to the Golden State Warriors to visit the White House in honor of their NBA championship. He also has criticized the president for calling on the NFL to stop players from protesting during the national anthem.
Earlier this week, a black pastor who is a longtime supporter of Mr. Trump said he believes Mr. Trump will be the most “pro-black” president in his lifetime.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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