President Donald Trump’s recent attempts to bully Lebron James are backfiring as dozens of people have spoken out against his actions, including his wife First Lady Melania Trump.
The president trashed the NBA superstar and CNN’s Don Lemon in a tweet on Friday night, calling both of them dumb. Trump was apparently triggered by a CNN interview earlier this week when James accused Trump of dividing the country. James also said that he would never sit with the president.
“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!” Trump tweeted in response while referring to NBA legend Michael Jordan.
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!
But the First Lady put out a statement by Saturday afternoon that distanced her from her husband’s words. The statement said that James was “working to do good things on behalf of our next generation.”
It’s been a big week for James, who fulfilled his promise to open a school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. According to TIME, “the unusual school is a public school formed in collaboration between James’ philanthropic foundation and Akron Public Schools. Its out-of-the-box offerings include a long school day (eight hours); a ‘support circle’ for students after lunch; and GED courses and job placement for parents.”
In the statement, Melania said she would be willing to visit the I Promise School, but she did not explicitly criticize her husband.
Jordan, who notoriously stays away from commenting on political and social issues, also chose to support James.
“I support LeBron James. He’s doing an amazing job for his community,” Jordan said in a statement to The Associated Press through his representative via text Saturday.
Lemon who was caught up in the storm sent out a tweet Saturday morning in response to President’s tweet.
“Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages?”
Lemon was referencing the Trump administration’s policy of separating immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border. He added the hashtag #BeBest, a reference to first lady Melania Trump’s initiative to support kindness and respect.
As for James, he remains #unbothered by the shenanigans. His first tweet following the debacle was one that refocused the spotlight on what matters most: the kids.
