In a recent social media post, LeBron James urged his massive following to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, igniting significant debate. Reflecting on the kind of future he envisions for his family, James openly voiced his support, sharing a video montage of recent negative press surrounding Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden.
The video highlighted various clips, including comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, allegedly performing racially insensitive acts and speaking alongside an African American attendee. It also featured snippets of what James labeled as “Nazi-like rhetoric” at the event and separate clips showing African Americans reportedly facing physical harassment. Critics quickly pointed out that the clips appeared to be edited selectively, accusing James of using decontextualized sound bites to push a biased narrative.
One particularly vocal fan—once a self-proclaimed LeBron supporter—criticized the NBA star for sharing racially charged and edited footage. They expressed disappointment in what they saw as an attempt to spin a narrative through isolated incidents rather than genuine content. The fan went so far as to say that they felt embarrassed by James’s decision to share the video, accusing him of manipulating his platform in service of Democratic messaging tactics.
Others echoed these sentiments, accusing James of strategically pulling certain speeches and moments to present Trump and his supporters in a negative light. They claimed that his approach aligned with what they perceived as a broader Democratic strategy of selective representation and misrepresentation.
LeBron’s support for Democratic candidates is nothing new. When President Biden first announced Kamala Harris as his running mate in 2020, James publicly celebrated the choice, congratulating her and expressing optimism about her potential impact. His advocacy extends back to the 2016 election, where he actively campaigned for Hillary Clinton in Ohio while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James’s public feuds with Trump are also well-documented. In 2017, after Trump withdrew a White House invitation extended to NBA star Stephen Curry, James famously tweeted, calling Trump a “bum” and saying that the honor of a White House visit had been tarnished by Trump’s administration. Trump responded with his own jab, suggesting that making James “look smart” was a difficult task.
When NBA players began kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice, Trump announced his own declining interest in the NBA. James, in turn, dismissed Trump’s criticism, stating that the loss of Trump’s viewership didn’t affect the basketball community’s morale.
James’s latest post has once again highlighted the ongoing rift between the star and former President Trump, as well as the differing views of fans across the political spectrum.
What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!! pic.twitter.com/tYYlTmQS6e
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 31, 2024
“Ain’t no party like a Diddy party” – Lebron James pic.twitter.com/DpwvysLvdI
— Mike ?? (@VegasMike27) October 29, 2024