Helena Frye
Former US President Donald Trump has a history of commenting on basketball-related matters, from his criticism of NBA star LeBron James to his tweets about UCLA basketball players detained in China. Trump's comments on basketball players and teams have often sparked controversy, such as his feud with LeBron James, who he criticised at a Republican rally in Alabama and during the Jan 6 Capitol riots. Trump has also welcomed basketball teams to the White House, including the Florida Gators, and commented on the refusal of the Golden State Warriors to celebrate their NBA title success at the White House. Trump's tweets about the UCLA basketball players, in which he stated that he should have left them in jail in response to LaVar Ball's comments, sparked debate about his involvement in their release.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | November 19, 2017 |
| People mentioned | LiAngelo Ball, LaVar Ball, Jalen Hill, Cody Riley |
| Basketball team mentioned | UCLA basketball players |
| Platform used |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's criticism of LeBron James
It is evident that former US President Donald Trump and basketball superstar LeBron James do not share a friendly relationship. Their feud came to the fore when, in August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump said that James was not good at basketball. Trump was quoted as saying, "I've seen LeBron James on TV, and, quite frankly, I don't think he's very good at basketball... You look at LeBron and sometimes when he shoots the ball, it doesn't go into the basket. If I try to drink a glass of water and miss my mouth, it's all CNN talks about."
Trump's criticism of James stems from the latter's criticism of the former's administration. James has been vocal about his disapproval of Trump's presidency, calling out his pettiness on social media and his penchant for opining and criticizing matters that are not in the national interest. James has also been critical of Trump voters, suggesting that they "made a mistake" or were "uneducated".
In response to James' criticism, Trump has not held back. In addition to his comments about James' basketball skills, Trump has also taken aim at James' character, saying that he doesn't like him and even suggesting that James should become a woman to join a women's basketball team. At Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit in Tampa, Trump said, "If I were a basketball coach of the women's team, I would be the greatest coach of all time. I'm not a fan of Lebron James at all, I don't like him, but I say 'Lebron, did you ever think of becoming a woman? Did you ever because I'd like to have you on my team.' I'd love to have you on our team Lebron. But, think of it, it's so crazy what's happening."
The feud between the two men also extends to their endorsements of different presidential candidates. James has been vocal in his support for Kamala Harris, which has been seen as a pointed rejection of Trump and his voter base. Trump, on the other hand, has criticised James' remarks as "divisive, nasty, and insulting".
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Trump's tweet about UCLA basketball players detained in China
In 2017, three UCLA basketball players were detained in China for shoplifting. After their release, LaVar Ball, the father of one of the players, belittled President Donald Trump's involvement in their release. In response, Trump tweeted:
> Now that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail, 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 also tweeted:
> Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!
One of the players, LiAngelo Ball, responded to Trump's comments in an interview with ESPN, saying, "Who? What was he over there for? Don't tell me nothing. Everybody wants to make it seem like he helped me out."
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Trump's response to Steph Curry's comments
In 2017, Steph Curry commented that he didn't want to visit the White House, stating that the Golden State Warriors' refusal to visit was a stand against Trump's words and deeds in his first months in office. In response, Trump tweeted: "Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!".
Trump's comments sparked a wave of reactions, with NBA players like LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Kobe Bryant responding on Twitter, and the Warriors and NBA commissioner Adam Silver releasing statements. Curry himself shared that he found the situation surreal and that Trump's actions were ""not what leaders do". Curry also joked about the unlikelihood of golfing with Trump, mentioning that he had played golf with former President Obama.
In 2019, Curry responded to Trump's criticism of Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whom Trump called "a little boy" due to his response to the controversy between the NBA and China. Curry defended Kerr, stating that their organization had always been outspoken and echoing his coach's sentiments. He also commented that Trump's words would not affect the Warriors' season, emphasizing the importance of focusing on basketball and growing the game internationally.
Trump's response to Steph Curry's initial comments in 2017 sparked widespread discussion and highlighted the ongoing tensions between the NBA and Trump administration. The incident also brought attention to the importance of free speech and peaceful protest for athletes and public figures.
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Trump's comments on men participating in women's sports
Former President Donald Trump has been vocal about his opposition to men participating in women's sports. In a speech at the University of Alabama's commencement ceremony in May 2025, Trump vowed to "keep men out of women's sports," igniting a raucous applause from the graduates. This stance was not new for Trump, who had previously mocked transgender athletes and expressed his desire to ban them from competing in women's sports categories.
Trump's comments on this topic date back to at least 2022, when he took a jab at men participating in women's sports during the Turning Point USA's (TPUSA) Student Action Summit in Tampa. At the event, Trump stated that if he were a women's basketball coach, he would be "the greatest of all time" because he could recruit male athletes. He specifically mentioned LeBron James, suggesting that James should "become a woman" to join his team. Trump's comments were met with rousing applause from the audience.
Trump's focus on men in women's sports extended beyond his public comments. On February 5, 2025, he signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order. This order aimed to uphold Title IX and end the participation of men in women's sports. It required the DOJ to act against schools and athletic associations that denied women single-sex sports and locker rooms. The order also called for hearing the stories of female athletes who suffered due to the biological advantage of males.
Trump's executive order was preceded by a series of other actions. On his first day, he signed an Executive Order establishing the biological reality of two sexes and defining male and female. He also signed orders to protect children from radical gender ideology and prohibit federal funding for related indoctrination. These moves were part of Trump's campaign promise to ban men from competing in women's sports, stating, "You just ban it. You just don't let it happen."
Trump's stance on men in women's sports has been a divisive issue, with some women's sports activists arguing that the new policy does not go far enough. However, it has also struck a chord with many Americans, as seen by the enthusiastic response during the University of Alabama commencement speech. The topic of transgender inclusion in women's sports emerged as a significant factor in Trump's 2024 election victory, with most Americans siding with the Republicans on this issue.
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Trump welcomes the Florida Gators to the White House
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump welcomed the University of Florida Gators to the White House to celebrate their 2025 national title. The Gators basketball team and head coach Todd Golden were invited to the White House to commemorate their achievement as NCAA basketball champions.
The Florida basketball team's final performance was celebrated in the East Room of the White House, with Trump entering alongside Golden to a loud ovation. The president remarked, "I just met your coach. I can see why you won," before introducing several notable guests, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, all of whom are UF graduates.
Trump recalled the Gators' journey to the national championship, highlighting key moments such as Will Richard's game-winning layup and Alijah Martin's clutch free throws in the championship game against Houston. He congratulated All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr., the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, on his potential selection as a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
The president's appreciation for college sports was evident, and he shared jokes with the team, creating a lighthearted atmosphere. The event concluded with Trump's enthusiastic "Go Gators; we love you in Florida," followed by Golden's grateful acknowledgment of the invitation. Golden presented Trump with a basketball signed by the players and staff, along with a Gators jersey, marking a memorable celebration for the championship team.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump has tweeted about basketball on multiple occasions, but none of the tweets were about U of L basketball specifically.
Trump tweeted about the UCLA basketball players who were detained in China, saying that he "should have left them in jail". He has also tweeted about LeBron James, saying that he would be a great women's basketball coach if LeBron James "became a woman".
Trump has welcomed basketball teams to the White House, including the Florida Gators and the Golden State Warriors. He has also tweeted about the UCLA basketball players who were detained in China, and he has commented on LeBron James' basketball skills.
