Trump hits back at LeBron James over racial division comments
WASHINGTON, Aug 4 (AFP) - US President Donald Trump sniped back at NBA great LeBron James late Friday, days after the basketball player and philanthropist accused him of fueling racial divides in the United States.
“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, (CNN presenter) Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn't easy to do,” the president tweeted of the Los Angeles Lakers player.
In an interview on Tuesday -- also broadcast late Friday -- James told CNN he believed Trump “is kind of trying to divide us.” “He's kind of used sport to... divide us and that's something I can't relate to, because I know that sport was the first time I ever was around some- one white. You know?” said James, who on Monday opened an elementary school for at-risk youth in his native Akron, Ohio.
Trump's comment sparked huge reaction on Twitter from James' backers.
“We got your back @KingJames Someone sure sound like they wish they was you.”, tweeted linebacker Bobby Wagner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.
James, who ranks seventh in career National Basketball Association scoring, also told CNN Tuesday he would “never sit across” from Trump, whom he accuses of emboldening racists. “I think (racism's) always been there. But I think the president in charge now has given people -- they don't care now, they throw it to your face,” he said.