President Donald Trump isn’t above making his personal feelings known via his Twitter account. In less than a year of being President, he has come out against a host of political adversaries, including those in his own party.
But perhaps the most head-scratching of his attacks come against professional athletes. Who can forget what Trump tweeted when Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said he did not want to visit the White House during the season, a tradition celebrated by every sports team that wins a championship?
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/911572182060453893
But Trump has been noticeably absent in his rantings against another big NBA star: LeBron James. The star forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers has publicly voiced his opinion about the President on multiple occasions, including calling the commander in chief a “bum” on Twitter in response to Trump disinviting the Warriors to the White House.
Trump has responded to practically everyone who has come out against him, but not James. Why not? Jamil Smith, opinion writer for the Los Angeles Times, may have the answer:
James has always been outspoken about his opinion on matters of social justice, and especially Trump. It must bother the President to know that James’ influence is such that refusing to stay at a Trump property adversely affects his business.
It further drives home the point that when James — or any popular professional athlete for that matter — speaks, people listen. And with so many seemingly against Trump, the actions James and other athletes have a better chance of resonating with not only sports fans, but the general public.
It’s most likely only a matter of time that Trump goes after James. Until then, James will ready and waiting with a powerful response.