President Trump publicly criticized LeBron James following James’s move from the Lakers to the Philadelphia 76ers, framing the debate around loyalty and politics while James insists his decision was about chasing another championship.

President Trump responded sharply after LeBron James announced he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers, saying James was “maybe a racist” in the same breath he praised Michael Jordan as a friend. Trump used the familiar Jordan-versus-LeBron comparison to underline a simple point: personal loyalty matters to him. The exchange came as James confirmed a two-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia, a major pay cut from the nearly $53 million he earned last season.

James made his move public on X with a long message that read like the closing chapter of a career still in motion, saying he considered retirement but ultimately wants to chase one more ring. He explained the decision was not about money or family, but competition and sacrifice. At 41, heading into his 24th NBA season, he remains the league’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time champion.

“Michael Jordan’s a guy that’s a friend of mine, I’ve played golf with him. He’s a really good guy and I think LeBron is, maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump, I don’t know, but I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”

The timing of Trump’s comment coincided with James’s announcement that he signed with the 76ers for two years and $8 million, signaling a clear championship chase. Philadelphia aggressively rebuilt this offseason, adding Jaylen Brown to a core that already included Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Reports say Maxey and others in the organization were persistent in pursuing James in recent weeks, and the team now looks built to contend right away.

James thanked the cities where he made his name, writing, “Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!” He said he believes he “can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team.” His stated focus is clear: put on a roster that gives him the best chance to win another title rather than chase the biggest paycheck.

“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James wrote. “I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game.”

The broader political back-and-forth between Trump and James dates back years. James has repeatedly used his platform to criticize Trump, endorse Democratic candidates, and push voting-rights efforts, while Trump has answered in kind and made the tension public. The exchanges intensified after 2017 when James called the President out over the White House invitation controversy involving Steph Curry, setting a tone that has stayed with both men ever since.

“U bum, Steph Curry already said he ain’t going! So, therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”

Trump framed his stance as straightforward and transactional: “I only like people that like me.” He contrasted Jordan’s relative political silence with James’s vocal activism and made clear his preference along those lines. Whether the “maybe a racist” phrasing was literal or rhetorical, it was used to turn criticism back on a frequent critic rather than to present a documented charge.

James has not publicly engaged with Trump’s latest remark, keeping his statements focused on basketball and his new team. The political subplot follows him to Philadelphia, where a championship drought stretches back to 1983 and expectations are suddenly higher. If James can deliver a title, it would join the 2016 Cleveland breakthrough and his two Miami championships as career-defining achievements.

Financially, James accepted a deal that looks more like a strategic gamble than a payday: roughly $8 million over two years compared with nearly $53 million last season. Details about options or incentives in the contract have not been fully disclosed, but the move signals clear priorities. At this stage, James says he wants to “sacrifice” and “work” for the chance to win, choosing the best competitive fit over comfort or cash.

The personal and political rivalry between Trump and James shows no sign of cooling, and both men keep the scoreboard in their own ways. Trump continues to apply his loyalty-first lens across business, politics, and now sports commentary. James keeps blending basketball and public life, and in Philadelphia the matchup between a championship chase and a long-running political feud will play out together.