Donald Trump Calls LeBron James 'Racist'

Donald Trump has ripped into LeBron James following the NBA megastar's controversial social media post last week.

Four-time NBA champion LeBron made headlines in the wake of Derek Chauvin's conviction after tweeting a picture of the police officer who shot 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant, captioning it: "YOU'RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY."

LeBron eventually deleted it after the post was met with an angry reception.

Twitter

The Los Angeles Lakers star copped his fair share of criticism for the tweet and now former United States President Trump has chimed in too, labelling LeBron "racist".

"LeBron James should focus on basketball rather than presiding over the destruction of the NBA, which has just recorded the lowest television RATINGS, by far, in the long and distinguished history of the League," Trump said in a statement.

"His RACIST rants are divisive, nasty, insulting, and demeaning. He may be a great basketball player, but he is doing nothing to bring our Country together!"

After receiving heavy backlash, LeBron came out and explained exactly why he chose to take down the post.

"I'm so damn tired of seeing Black people killed by police," he said.

"I took the tweet down because its being used to create more hate - this isn't about one officer. It's about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism. I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY.

"ANGER does any of us any good and that includes myself! Gathering all the facts and educating does though! My anger still is here for what happened that lil girl. My sympathy for her family and may justice prevail!"

Unsurprisingly, this isn't the first time LeBron and Trump have butted heads.

PA

PA

During his reign as president, Trump never shied away from a confrontation with LeBron and used his social media platform to take countless shots at the Lakers fan favourite.

LeBron, on the other hand, deployed slightly different tactics and even refused to engage with his rival during the lead up to the presidential election.

And even though he's no longer president, it seems Trump is still keeping a close tabs on what his old mate LeBron is up to.

Topics: Racism, NBA, nba news, Los Angeles Lakers, Twitter, Donald Trump, lebron james, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry