Trump faces new accusations of racism after mocking LeBron
BASKETBALL STAR RECEIVES KUDOS FROM FIRST LADY MELANIA AND MICHAEL JORDAN
US President Donald Trump faced renewed accusations of racism on Saturday after mocking the intelligence of Lakers superstar LeBron James and broadcaster Don Lemon of CNN.
Trump took to Twitter late on Friday night to bash Lemon after his interview on Monday with James and ended up slandering the celebrity athlete as well. In the interview, James reiterated his criticism of the president as racially insensitive.
“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!” Trump tweeted, apparently referencing former NBA superstar Michael Jordan.
Trump’s criticism of the intelligence of James and Lemon, who are both black, comes after he has repeatedly referred to Democrat Rep. Maxine Waters, one of the most prominent African American members of Congress and a vocal Trump critic, as being “an extraordinarily low IQ person.”
Racially charged language
During his campaign and presidency, Trump frequently has used racially charged language.
Trump’s tweet about James and Lemon drew immediate criticism on social media, particularly given that James was in the news last week for opening a school for at-risk children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, funded by his foundation. James’ I Promise School was the basis for Lemon’s CNN interview.
Lemon made that connection in responding to Trump’s attack, asking in his own tweet on Saturday, “Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages?”
Several prominent professional athletes came to James’ defence, including Jordan and the Warriors’ Stephen Curry.
“I support LJ,” Jordan said in a statement from his publicist. “He’s doing an amazing job for his community.
James also received kudos ■ from First Lady Melania Trump, who has distanced herself from her husband’s controversial behaviour before. “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,” said the spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham. “Her platform centres around visiting organisations, hospitals and schools, and she would be open to visiting the I Promise School in Akron.”