School district supports James
WASHINGTON: National Basketball Association star LeBron James won praise yesterday from an Ohio school district for his support of disadvantaged children in his hometown of Akron, after United States President Donald Trump attacked him in a weekend tweet questioning his intelligence.
The president lashed out at James after the threetime NBA champion was interviewed by CNN’s Don Lemon largely to tout a public school in Akron, Ohio, that his foundation helped to open last week. During the interview, James said sports was something that unites Americans, but that Trump ‘‘used sport to kind of divide us’’, drawing the retaliatory tweet from the President.
The ‘‘I Promise’’ public school in Akron, which opened last week, will offer classes for ‘‘atrisk’’ students, the foundation website said.
‘‘Anyone that’s done what LeBron James has done for the past decade to 15 years for our children to prepare them to flourish in life has to be an intelligent person,’’ Akron Public Schools spokesman Mark Williamson said. ‘‘He’s a bright guy, end of story.’’
The comment came after Trump on Saturday had tweeted ‘‘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!’’
The president’s ‘‘I like Mike!’’ comment was an apparent reference to the perennial sports debate over whether sixtime NBA champion Michael Jordan, or James, a fourtime league most valuable player, is the NBA’s alltime best player.
Jordan, who rarely wades into the political fray, and other US athletes rallied to James’ defence, praising him for his work in his community.
US first lady Melania Trump also appeared to take exception to her husband’s attack on James.
‘‘It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation and just as she always has, the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today,’’ a statement issued by Melania Trump’s spokeswoman said. — Reuters