President Donald J. Trump tweeted late last night his apparent distaste for CNN’s Don Lemon and NBA superstar Lebron James after an interview between the two aired on CNN, saying, “Don Lemon…made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.”
But, during the conversation, James also indicated that he would not be willing to sit down with President Trump. Lemon asked him, "What would you say to the president if he were sitting right here?"
James responded, "I would never sit across from him." The current Los Angeles Laker recently told CNN that he believes President Trump is using sports to try and divide America.
"What I've noticed over the past few months [is] he's kinda used sports to kinda divide us, and that's something that I can't relate to," James said. “I can't sit back and say nothing." James was referencing President Trump's disgust with NFL players and other professionals athletes who kneel during the playing of the national anthem as a form of protest.
These remarks apparently irked the president who also tweeted, "I like Mike!" last 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
"Mike" is most likely referring to Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan. It is often debated who is considered the greatest of all time in the NBA - Lebron James or Michael Jordan. Jordan won 6 NBA championships in two separate three-peats. James has only won the NBA championships three times but has reached the finals for the past eight years.
While much of the media is criticizing Trump's characterization of Lebron, virtually everybody is ignoring that the president also called Don Lemon "the dumbest man on television." President Trump has butted heads with Lemon in the past. Perhaps most noticeably in 2015 shortly after he announced his presidency, Lemon questioned why Trump categorized many illegal aliens as rapists. President Trump asserted all he was doing was speaking the truth. That exchange can be found here.
As for Lebron vs. Trump, the NBA legend has previously called the 45th commander-in-chief a bum.U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
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