In a recent White House news conference, United States President Donald Trump stirred controversy by suggesting that LeBron James might be "a racist" when discussing the basketball star's legacy. This remark came after James, 41, confirmed his intention to continue playing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

When comparing James to Michael Jordan, Trump expressed his preference for the six-time NBA champion, stating:

Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He's a really good guy.

• He added, "I think LeBron is, maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump. I don't know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way."

James has a history of criticizing Trump and has openly supported Democratic candidates like Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. In 2017, he labeled Trump as "a bum" following a dispute over White House invitations for NBA champions.

As a four-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers, James aims to secure a fifth title with the 76ers. He is also the NBA's all-time leader in points and games played, having earned the league's MVP award four times.

In a social media post, James expressed his belief in his ability to help the Philadelphia 76ers become a championship team, joining fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.