LeBron James had some strong words about President Trump during a Monday night appearance with CNN’s Don Lemon.
“What I’ve noticed over the last few months that he’s kinda used sport to kinda divide us, and that’s something that I can’t relate to,” James said.
James is referencing Trump’s statement that any NFL player who kneels for the anthem ought to be fired. He said the president is trying to “capitalize” on the Kaepernick and anthem-kneeling controversy.
“I know that sports was the first time I ever was around someone white,” James said. “And I got the opportunity to see them and learn about them and they got an opportunity to learn about me and we became very good friends.”
“Sports has never been something that divides people, it’s always been something that brings someone together,” James said.
The full interview is below:
Lemon asked James if he’d sit across from Trump, and James said no.
“I’d sit across from Barack though,” said James.
James has been openly critical of Trump, saying he “does not give a f*uck” about the people. James also called visits to the White House “honorable” until Trump “showed up.”
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
“The guy in control has given people and racism, and negative racism, an opportunity to be out and outspoken without fear,” said James on MLK day. “It’s around every day, but he’s allowed people to come out and just feel confident about doing negative things.”
James just opened his own school in Akron, Ohio, called the I Promise school, through his foundation. It is a 1st-8th grade school that helps kids in the Akron area that are in at-risk areas of the city. The school will open with 240 third and fourth-graders to start off, then expand to second and fifth graders the following year, with meals provided for every student. The opening of this school prompted the interview with Don Lemon on CNN.
A dream come true for LeBron James and his foundation: The I Promise School for at-risk students in Akron opens today with plan to transform lives of students and parents:https://t.co/fxTrCaueBM pic.twitter.com/D27di415k8
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 30, 2018
