President Donald Trump has repeatedly publicly denounced players across several sports kneeling during the national anthem, and NBA star LeBron James is not having it.
When asked about Trump calling NBA players kneeling during the anthem in protest of racial inequalities “disgraceful,” James told reporters, “Are you trying to make me laugh right now?”
“I really don’t think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership, him viewing the game,” James added. “And that’s all I got to say.”
“I hope everyone, no matter the race, no matter the color, no matter the size, will see what leadership that we have at the top in our country and understand that November is right around the corner and it’s a big moment for us as Americans.”
NBA players have knelt each game while wearing “Black Lives Matter” t-shirts. Additionally, most coaches and officials have knelt as well.
Watch James’ remarks below:
LeBron brought up the video of the Aurora incident himself, where a Black family with young children was detained by police: “We just want better as the Black community. We’re literally not asking for a lot.” pic.twitter.com/dV9851B83z
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) August 6, 2020
James’ remarks come shortly after Trump’s phone interview on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday where he said, “I think it’s disgraceful.”
He went on to cite the coronavirus and restrictions lifting, “We work with [the NBA], we worked with them very hard trying to get open. I was pushing for them to get open. Then I see everybody kneeling during the anthem. It’s not acceptable to me.”
Listen to Trump’s comments below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNgjudeNo-k&feature=emb_title
Trump added that when he sees players kneeling he turns off the TV. During the president’s interview, he also suggested that other than former President Abraham Lincoln, “Nobody’s done more for the Black community by far.”