President Donald Trump took aim at LeBron James on the same week the athlete and humanitarian opened up his I Promise school in Ohio.
Trump tweeted his thoughts Friday (Aug. 3) following CNN’s re-airing of Don Lemon’s interview with James where he talked about his I Promise School, which helps 240 children with programs dedicated to accelerated learning. James teamed up with Akron (Ohio) Public Schools system to create the elementary school.
During the interview, James shared his thoughts on Trump and how his policies and behavior has drawn a wedge between Americans, especially when it comes to sports. “What I’ve noticed over the past few months [is] he’s kinda used sports to kinda divide us, and that’s something that I can’t relate to,” he said. “He’s trying to divide our sport, but at the end of the day, sport is the reason why we all come together.”
“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon,” Trump tweeted. “He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1025586524782559232
Trump’s thinly veiled tweet led to a sharp response from Lemon.
“Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages?” he tweeted.
Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages? #BeBest https://t.co/XO50qVksnR
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) August 4, 2018
James didn’t pay any mind to hate and continued to share his joy over the I Promise school.
Let’s get it kids!! Love you guys https://t.co/kY88geedus
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 4, 2018
While speaking with Lemon, James also shared how sports opened him up to other people he would’ve interacted with.
“Sports was the first time I was ever around someone white,” he said. “I got an opportunity to see them and learn about them, and they got the opportunity to learn about me … And I was like, ‘Oh wow, this is all because of sports.'”
When it comes to his school, James is focused on shaping the minds who will change the world. “We want every kid that walks through this school to be inspired, to come … away with something, something where they can give back,” he said. “For kids, in general, all they want to know is that someone cares. And when they walk through that door, I hope they know that someone cares.”
Many came to James’ defense on Twitter and pointed out Trump’s hypocrisy.
See the takes below.
Imagine taking shots at LeBron after what he did this week. pic.twitter.com/h3yKvADXzy
— Scott Cullen (@ByScottCullen) August 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/StephenCurry30/status/1025808660637745152
I'd much rather live in a world reflecting the values, philanthropy, and yes intelligence of LeBron James and Don Lemon's intelligent commitment to truth and journalism than the divisive peevishness, lies, and narrow self-interest displayed by the President of the United States.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 4, 2018
Hey @realDonaldTrump #ObamaDay is trending no. 1 on Twitter. 2 years out of office & he’s still more well loved than you.
You can’t stand successful black men who don’t suck up to you. That’s you why attacked @KingJames.
You’re unworthy to wash either of their dirty socks.
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) August 4, 2018