He calls CNN “fake news” but last night Donald Trump was obviously watching as the network re-aired an interview with basketball superstar LeBron James. The interview was conducted by Don Lemon. Perhaps two black men on television at the same time was too much for Trump. Perhaps even a tiny bit of criticism is more than he can handle. Whatever, it’s hard to believe the tweet below came from the President of the United States. It’s not so difficult to believe it came from Donald Trump. The interview was conducted this past Monday after James opened a school for at-risk children in his hometown of Akron. James said in the interview that Trump “kind of used sports to kind of divide us, and that’s something that I can’t relate to.”
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
The language used in the tweet is no doubt a dog whistle. Dan Rather says:
“This is apparently what the President of the United States feels the need to share with the world at what should be long past his bedtime? It’s a disgrace. It’s racist. And it’s the product of petty but dangerous hatreds. I repeat this is the PRESIDENT??!?”
The LeBron James tweet is not minor. The President of the United States, a long-proven racist, used his platform to attack two black men last night, one of whom just started a school for at-risk kids. If you're not angry and ashamed for our country right now, we part company.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) August 4, 2018
LeBron is a smart dude (and one of the most thoughtful athletes we have) – this is a bullshit tweet and feels more than a little racist. You’re a constant embarrassment. https://t.co/QxYpuyHsuW
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) August 4, 2018
The other issue with Trump’s criticism is it comes in a week where James just opened a school to help at-risk children.
Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages? #BeBest https://t.co/XO50qVksnR
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) August 4, 2018
So let me get this straight: Flint, MI has dirty water still, but you worried about an interview about a man doing good for education and generations of kids in his hometown? Shut your damn mouth! Stop using them twitter fingers and get stuff done for our country with that pen. https://t.co/sEkX3OKaJM
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 4, 2018
So Trump finally went at LeBron, huh? Shocked it took this long. Not shocked it happened during a week where LeBron literally opened a school for at-risk kids.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) August 4, 2018
LeBron puts children through school.
Trump puts children in cages.
— Joseph Flynn (@chinajoeflynn.bsky.social) (@ChinaJoeFlynn) August 4, 2018
Imagine taking shots at LeBron after what he did this week. pic.twitter.com/h3yKvADXzy
— Scott Cullen (@ByScottCullen) August 4, 2018
James hasn’t responded to Trump’s tweet yet, but CNN’s PR department weighed in with a burn.
Sounds like @FLOTUS had the remote last night. ? We hope you both saw the incredible work of @KingJames. #BeBesthttps://t.co/3Ok0z9Z6Ro
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) August 4, 2018