When LeBron justified calling Donald Trump a "bum":"Me and my friends call each other that all the time"
LeBron James found himself having to explain the context of his raunchy tweet about President Donald Trump back in 2017. In his response to Trump withdrawing his invitation to the reigning NBA champions, Golden State Warriors, to visit the White House, The King infamously called the POTUS a "bum."
As expected, the media quizzed LBJ to revisit his tweet and reveal his thoughts regarding the matter.
"Name-calling?" James replied when asked if he had any regrets about how he characterized Trump. "What'd I say? That's not a name-call. 'You bum.' Me and my friends call each other that all the time. I'm not his friend, though. I don't want to see that on the note. He's not my friend."
LeBron accused Donald of dividing his people
James has been one of the most famous and vocal Trump critics in professional sports. Apart from calling Donald "bum," LBJ also referred to the president as "that guy that continues to try to divide us as people."
Bron made the bold remark after commending the NFL for sticking up for each other in the protest by kneeling during the national anthem. Trump then threatened to have athletes who would kneel during the national anthem either suspended or fired.
"The thing that frustrated me, pissed me off: He was using the sports platform to divide us. Sports is so amazing, what sports can do for everyone, no matter shape, size, race. It brings people together like no other. I'm not going to let one individual, no matter the power, the impact he should have, ever use sport as a platform to divide us," he added.
James criticized Trump's leadership
Bron has never held a position in politics, but he is confident about his leadership skills, having been the face of his teams throughout his NBA career. More importantly, James understood the tremendous responsibility that comes with being a true leader and role model.
For King James, Trump has proven that he knew nothing about good leadership. In fact, LeBron even said Donald doesn't really grasp how important the POTUS role is not only in America but also in the whole world.
"He doesn't understand the power that he has for being the leader of this beautiful country," James added of Trump. "He doesn't understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. He doesn't understand that, and that's what makes me more sick than anything, that we have someone that's... this is the most, this is the No. 1 position in the world."
"We know this is the greatest country in the world," he emphasized. "It's the land of the free. But we still have problems just like everybody else, and when we have those problems, we have to figure out a way how we come together and be as great as we can be as a people. Because the people run this country. Not one individual. And damn sure not him."
Trump is currently in his second term as the U.S. president. Yet, James seems to be still unimpressed.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
