US First Lady, celebs, NBA players, defend LeBron vs Trump's insults
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 05 Aug 2018
United States First Lady Melania Trump, celebrities, NBA players and even media men came in defense of LeBron James against insulting statements coming from American President Donald Trump.
Melania Trump said, The Guardian reported from New York and New Orleans, ?James appeared to be doing ?good things on behalf of our next generation.?
The First Lady, even added she?s open to visiting LeBron?s new public school the NBA star called ?I Promise,? the day after her husband questioned the Los Angeles Lakers player?s intelligence.
President Trump insulted James on Friday night hours after CNN re-aired an interview with the basketball player and reporter Don Lemon. ?Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon,? Trump said. ?He made Lebron look smart, which isn?t easy to do.?
Many, including professional athletes and the Republican governor of Ohio, also came critical of Trump?s statements.
On Saturday afternoon, Melania Trump also issued a surprising, positive statement about James, but did not reference her husband.
?It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation,? she said even as she has always done, the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today.?
A separate statement coming from her spokeswoman said: ?As you know, Mrs. Trump has travelled the country and world talking to children about their well-being, healthy living, and the importance of responsible on line 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.?
Retired NBA player Michal Jordan, who the American Chief Executive Donald Trump mentioned in the tweet ? ending with ?I like Mike!? ? Jordan. Likewise, reacted in favor of LeBron.
?I support LJ,? Jordan said in a statement. ?He?s doing an amazing job for his community.?
James, one of the most prominent athletes in the US, has been critical of Trump for years.
In September 2017, James called Trump a ?bum? for rescinding his invitation to the Golden State Warriors to celebrate their basketball championship with a visit to the White House.
?Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!? James tweeted at the time.
In February, James explained why he was critical of the president: ?While we cannot change what comes out of that man?s mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us, that this is not the way.?
And in an interview with CNN this week, James told Lemon that Trump was ?trying to divide our sport, but at the end of the day, sport is the reason why we all come together?.
When Lemon asked: ?What would you say to the President if he was sitting right here?? James said: ?I would never sit across from him.?
Trump?s tweet on Friday night drew accusations of racism because Lemon and James are black men and had been discussing Trump?s previous attacks on black athletes in the interview.
Representative Tim Ryan, a Democrat who represents James?s hometown?s district, said: ?I think it reveals and continues to reveal that president Trump race baits.?
The sports commentator Bill Simmons tweeted: ?LeBron is a smart dude (and one of the most thoughtful athletes we have) ? this is a bullshit tweet and feels more than a little racist.?
James, meanwhile, did not join what is turning out a verbal war and instead on Saturday morning shared photos from the school he just opened.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
World Boxing Announces Elite Division World Rankings
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS NEW MATCHROOM SIGNING MEETS GAVAZI – PLUS: VUONG vs GWYNNE II
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BIADO, YAPP, AND DUONG POWER TEAM ASIA TO THE BRINK OF GLORY
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Prado, Catubig dominate DTI Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 17 Oct 2025ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Oct 2025