LeBron James Comments on Potential White House Invitation from Donald Trump
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers spent Thursday celebrating their NBA championship from last season with President Barack Obama at the White House.
Speaking at a shootaround before Friday's game against the Washington Wizards, James was unsure if he would make a return trip to the White House with Donald Trump as president if the Cavaliers win another NBA title.
"I don't know. That's something that we'll cross. We'll have to cross that road if we get to it. We'll see. I would hope to have to cross that road," James said, per Chase Hughes of Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.
James went on to tell Hughes it's on the U.S. citizens to do their part to make this country as strong as it can be:
"Our nation has never been built on one guy, anyways. It’s been built on multiple guys, multiple people in power, multiple people having a dream and making it become a reality by giving back to the community, by giving back to the youth, doing so many great things. We always have a guy that has the most power, and that’s the President of the United States. But it’s never been built on one guy. We all have to figure out a way we can better our country. We all know, we all feel, that this is the best country in the world. We have to all do our part. It’s not about him. It’s not about him at all, especially not for me and what I do.
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Last month, James wrote an op-ed piece for Business Insider in which he endorsed democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for president.
"I support Hillary because she will build on the legacy of my good friend, President Barack Obama," James wrote. "I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment to continuing that legacy."
Trump defeated Clinton in Tuesday's election with 290 votes in the electoral college. He will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on January 20, 2017.
The tradition of championship teams visiting the White House dates back to 1865 when the Brooklyn Atlantics and Washington Nationals baseball teams were welcomed by Andrew Johnson, per Thomas Neumann of ESPN.com.
It has since become a notable part of the championship celebration for the team, both at the college and professional level, and players to have a moment with the president for their hard work, passion and dedication over the course of a long, grueling season.
