President Donald Trump weighed in on the ongoing debate over who is the better basketball player, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, during a July 24, 2026, appearance at the Oval Office. Trump stated, "Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine, play golf with him. He's a really good guy. And I think LeBron is, maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump, I don't know. But I only like people that like me. So, I would say Michael Jordan all the way."

The comments came shortly after LeBron James announced on July 24, 2026, that he plans to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN. James, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, was pictured in May 2026 during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

Michael Jordan, a Chicago Bulls legend, retired twice during his career, including a hiatus to play baseball after the Bulls' first three-peat in the 1993-94 season. He returned in the 1994-95 season, leading the Bulls to a second three-peat starting in the 1995-96 season.

Trump's remarks were made days after he spoke at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, on July 22, 2026.

Sources