Trump Calls LeBron James Maybe a Racist After Philadelphia 76ers Signing

Trump Weighs in on LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers Signing

The remarks from the Oval Office followed a major development in the National Basketball Association reported on July 24, 2026, when LeBron James announced his decision to continue his career in Philadelphia. The 41-year-old superstar signed a two-year contract valued at $8 million that includes a player option for his second season.

James played with the Los Angeles Lakers last year. His free agency saga has come to an end with the 41-year-old superstar deciding to join the Philadelphia 76ers, where he will be looking to secure a fifth title of his career. James has won four NBA titles with the Miami Heat (twice), the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been named the league’s MVP four times and is the NBA’s all-time leader in points and games played, as well as a four-time Olympic medalist.

When reporters asked for his reaction to the move and where James ranks in the historical debate against Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, President Trump pivoted immediately to his personal relationship with Jordan during a Friday news conference.

Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He's a really good guy. I think LeBron is, maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump, I don't know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way, Trump said

Years of Friction Between Trump and James

The friction between the president and the basketball star stretches back across multiple presidential terms. James has been a regular critic of Trump during his terms as president and endorsed Democrat candidates Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris when they ran against him. James and Trump have battled for years, with James saying in 2018 that Trump doesn’t “give a f‑‑‑” about the American people.

It’s not even a surprise when he says something, James said at the time. It’s, like, laughable; it’s laughable, and it’s scary. James added, 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.

During Trump’s first term, James called Trump a “bum” after Trump rescinded a White House invitation to Stephen Curry following the Golden State Warriors’ championship victory. James also asserted publicly that the administration had given racism an opening, stating that the guy in control has given people and racism, and negative racism, an opportunity to be out, and outspoken without fear.

Political figures quickly entered the public debate following the president’s latest comments. Representative Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, defended the basketball star by saying he’s been nothing but a role model for children and adults through his athletic prowess and philanthropy.

Philadelphia Roster Shift and Historical Legacies

James arrives in Philadelphia ahead of his 24th NBA season, joining a roster that now boasts the talents of James and All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown. The 76ers look like the East’s second-best team with LeBron on paper, but Joel Embiid’s health could determine their ceiling as they look to challenge teams like the New York Knicks in the East.

While James holds the NBA’s all-time scoring record alongside four championships and four MVP awards, Trump maintained his preference for Jordan. Jordan, who is retired, played in the NBA for 15 seasons and captured six titles with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. Jordan retired twice during his career, playing baseball after the Bulls’ first three-peat during the 1993-94 season before returning during the 1994-95 season. The Bulls began their second three-peat a year later during the 1995-96 season, and Jordan later spent the final two seasons of his career with the Washington Wizards.

Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game, the most in NBA history, along with 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while earning five regular-season MVP awards and making the All-Star team 14 times as a Basketball Hall of Famer and two-time Olympic gold medalist.