Andrew Pace
In 2017, three UCLA basketball players were arrested on shoplifting charges in Hangzhou, China. US President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene on their behalf. The players were released, and Trump took to Twitter to express his frustration when one of the players, LiAngelo Ball, appeared to downplay his role in their release. Trump's tweets sparked controversy, with some interpreting them as attacks on the players and their fathers. This incident marked a notable instance of Trump's involvement in an international issue involving US citizens and his use of Twitter to communicate directly with the public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | November 2017 |
| People involved | Donald Trump, LaVar Ball, LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill, Cody Riley, Xi Jinping |
| Incident | Three UCLA basketball players were arrested on shoplifting charges in Hangzhou, China |
| Trump's involvement | Asked Xi Jinping to intervene on behalf of the players |
| Outcome | The players were released and returned to the US |
| Trump's tweets | Expressed frustration that LaVar Ball downplayed his role in the players' release |
Example of Trump's tweets:
Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2017 I should have left them in jail! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2017
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What You'll Learn
Trump's tweets about UCLA basketball players
In 2017, three UCLA basketball players—LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, and Jalen Hill—were arrested on shoplifting charges while in Hangzhou, China, for UCLA's opening game against Georgia Tech. US President Donald Trump, who was coincidentally in China on a state visit at the time, asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene on the players' behalf. Trump later confirmed that he had made the request, stating, "They're working on it right now."
The players were released and boarded a flight back to Los Angeles. Trump took to Twitter to express his thoughts on the matter. On November 15, 2017, he tweeted: "Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!" Four days later, on November 19, Trump tweeted again, stating, "LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo, is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail!"
Trump's tweets sparked controversy and criticism. LaVar Ball, the father of one of the detained players, questioned Trump's role in securing the players' release, suggesting that shoplifting was not a serious offense. In response, Trump lashed out at Ball, tweeting that he "should have left them in jail." The players, upon returning to the US, were suspended indefinitely from the UCLA team. They also held a press conference to apologize and thank the president.
This incident highlighted the complex dynamics between sports, diplomacy, and political relationships. It also drew attention to issues of racial dynamics, as Trump had previously used his Twitter platform to criticize black athletes who protested against police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.
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Trump's criticism of NBA's relationship with China
In 2019, President Donald Trump criticized the relationship between the NBA and China, accusing the league's coaches and officials of "pandering to China" and prioritizing economic interests over human rights. Trump specifically called out Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich for their reactions to the dispute with China, claiming they were hypocritical given their criticism of his domestic policies. The NBA was facing backlash for its response to a now-deleted tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who expressed support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. This incident led to a tense exchange on Capitol Hill, with Senator Marsha Blackburn questioning the NBA's "cozy relationship" with China and their commitment to free speech.
Trump's criticism of the NBA's ties to China extended beyond this incident. During a Fox Sports Radio interview in 2020, he stated that "the way they catered to China, the way they bowed to China, is a disgrace." Trump also took issue with NBA players kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial inequality, calling them "very nasty and dumb." The president's comments sparked discussions about the league's attempts to balance business interests in China with criticisms of the Chinese Communist Party's human rights abuses.
While some supported Trump's stance, others defended the NBA's relationship with China, arguing that economic engagement was supposed to open the country up to more democracy and freedom. However, critics highlighted the Chinese government's increasing wealth and influence, which has led to greater suppression of its population and increased repressive influence abroad. The NBA's massive China market and the financial investments of its owners in the country have also come under scrutiny, with some questioning whether the league put economic interests ahead of human rights.
Trump's comments about the NBA's relationship with China were part of a broader context of tensions between the two countries. The incident with the UCLA basketball players detained in China for shoplifting in 2017 further highlighted the complex dynamics between the nations. Trump's involvement in securing their release sparked discussions about the diplomatic implications and potential bargaining between the governments.
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Trump's response to LaVar Ball's comments
In 2017, three UCLA basketball players, including LaVar Ball's son, LiAngelo Ball, were arrested in China for shoplifting. During their trip to China, the players were detained and questioned by police but were never put in jail.
Trump, who was in China at the time on a state visit, asked President Xi to intervene on the players' behalf. The players were subsequently released and allowed to return to the US. Upon their return, they were suspended indefinitely from the UCLA team and apologised for their actions at a press conference.
Despite Trump's intervention, LaVar Ball refused to thank the president, saying, "If you help, you shouldn't have to say anything". He also questioned Trump's role in securing his son's release, stating that he did not know what Trump had done to free the players. In response, Trump took to Twitter to criticise Ball, saying that he should have left the players in China and that they had been saved from years in jail. Trump also accused Ball of being ungrateful and downplaying the seriousness of shoplifting.
The exchange between Trump and Ball sparked a debate, with some people agreeing with Ball's sentiment that Trump should not have expected thanks for his intervention. Others criticised Ball for his refusal to acknowledge Trump's efforts, which may have helped secure the players' release.
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Trump's tweet thanking Xi Jinping
In 2017, three UCLA basketball players were arrested on shoplifting charges while in Hangzhou, China, for UCLA's opening game against Georgia Tech. The players involved were LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, and Jalen Hill.
During his state visit to China, President Trump asked President Xi Jinping to intervene on behalf of the players. Trump confirmed this upon returning home from his trip, saying, "They're working on it right now." The players were subsequently released and boarded a flight back to Los Angeles.
On November 16, 2017, Trump tweeted his thanks to President Xi Jinping for facilitating the players' release. The tweet read:
> "To the three UCLA basketball players I say: You're welcome, go out and give a big Thank You to President Xi Jinping of China who made [...] your release possible and, HAVE A GREAT LIFE! Be careful, there are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!"
Trump's tweet came after LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo Ball, downplayed the president's role in securing the players' release. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Ball's comments, tweeting on November 19, 2017: "I should have left them in jail!"
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Trump's views on China's human rights abuses
In 2017, then-US President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene on behalf of three UCLA basketball players who were arrested on shoplifting charges in Hangzhou, China. Trump confirmed that he had made the request during his state visit to Beijing, stating that the players "were headed for 10 years in jail!". The players were released and allowed to return to the US, although they were indefinitely suspended from the UCLA team.
In 2020, the Trump administration, along with the US Department of State, the US Department of the Treasury, the US Department of Commerce, and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued a joint advisory warning US businesses about contributing to China's human rights abuses, particularly in the Xinjiang region. The advisory urged US companies to monitor their activities and highlighted the risks associated with operating in Xinjiang or engaging with entities that use labor or goods from the region.
Despite these warnings, Trump's overall approach to China's human rights abuses has been characterized by a lack of strong condemnation or effective action. His focus on strength and trade has been seen as a mistake, ignoring the strategic and moral importance of defending universal human rights and countering the CCP's authoritarianism.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Trump tweeted about three UCLA basketball players who were arrested in China on shoplifting charges.
Trump tweeted that he helped the players get released and wondered if they would thank him. He also critised LaVar Ball, the father of one of the players, for belittling his role in their release.
Trump critised NBA players and officials for "pandering to China" but said that the league needed to resolve the dispute on its own.
Yes, Trump's tweets about the UCLA basketball players and the NBA were both controversial. Some people accused him of attacking black athletes and pandering to China himself.
Yes, Trump tweeted that he should have left the players in jail after LaVar Ball belittled his role in their release.
