Donald Trump says LeBron James 'maybe a racist'

United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that LeBron James might be a racist when asked to compare the basketball careers of Michael Jordan and James.

James, 41, announced on Friday that he intends to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team," James said in a lengthy post on social media.

In a White House press conference, when Trump was informed about James’ move, and then asked whether Jordan or James is the "best ever."

Trump replied, "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."

James endorsed and was in favour of the three candidates that ran against Trump in the past three presidential elections: Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

LeBron James also criticised Donald Trump after the president's withdrawal of the Warriors' invitation to the White House in 2017, after Golden State star Stephen Curry stated that he would have declined the visit.

Jordan, 63, is the six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s and was a five-time league MVP.

James owns four NBA championship rings and has been selected MVP four times during his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He is the NBA's all-time leader in points and games played.