Jordan Backed LeBron After Trump Criticized NBA Star

A public dispute involving politics and professional basketball put Michael Jordan and LeBron James on opposite sides of a confrontation with Donald Trump in 2018. After James criticized the president during a CNN interview, Trump questioned the basketball star's intelligence and expressed a preference for Jordan, who subsequently issued a statement supporting James and praising his community work.

The exchange followed an interview with CNN anchor Don Lemon in which James discussed the opening of the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio. James also accused Trump of using sports to divide Americans, prompting a response from the then-president on Twitter, now known as X.

Trump's August 4, 2018, post criticized both Lemon and James before ending with an explicit reference to Jordan, the former Chicago Bulls star who won six NBA championships.

"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 Trump wrote.

The reference to Jordan placed the six-time NBA champion at the center of a disagreement that had begun with criticism of Trump's political approach and James's public comments. The president's statement also connected the confrontation to the longstanding debate over whether Jordan or James ranks as basketball's greatest player.

Jordan did not join Trump's criticism of his fellow NBA star. Instead, the former Bulls player responded publicly through a statement released by his spokesperson, expressing support for James and highlighting his work in the community.

"I support LeBron James. He’s doing an amazing job for his community," Jordan said.

Jordan's response contrasted with Trump's apparent preference for him in the debate. Rather than endorsing the criticism of James, Jordan publicly recognized the Lakers star's community contributions.

The episode drew widespread attention by combining a political disagreement with the rivalry between two of the NBA's most prominent players. It also demonstrated how the debate surrounding Jordan and James extended beyond their achievements on the basketball court into their public statements and positions on social issues.