Sports World Reacts to Donald Trump Ripping LeBron James' Intelligence

Tim Daniels @TimDanielsBRFeatured ColumnistAugust 4, 2018

LeBron James speaks at a news conference after the opening ceremony for the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, Monday, July 30, 2018. The I Promise School is supported by the The LeBron James Family Foundation and is run by the Akron Public Schools. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Phil Long/Associated Press

The sports world, including several fellow NBA players, came to the defense of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James after United States President Donald Trump insulted the four-time MVP's intelligence in a Twitter message Friday night.

Trump reacted to a Monday interview with James by CNN's Don Lemon with this tweet:

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!

LeBron spoke with Lemon about the opening of the I Promise School in his native Akron, Ohio, that he funded, and during the interview he said Trump was using sports and athletes to divide the country for political gain.

"What I've noticed over the past few months [is] he's kinda used sports to kinda divide us, and that's something that I can't relate to," James said.

"I support [LeBron]," Jordan said Saturday, per NBC News' Geoff Bennett. "He's doing an amazing job for his community."

The other reaction to Trump's tweet was swift:

Stephen Curry @StephenCurry30
Keep doing you @KingJames! 💪🏽 https://t.co/LOFVdQgyYr

Bradley Beal @RealDealBeal23
Tired of you! https://t.co/3vYwL0OyMx

Matt Barnes @Matt_NBC4
Re: that Trump tweet. That angers me beyond belief. I don’t want my future kids growing up in a world where two Black men, accomplished in their field, are called dumb because they disagree with your views. LeBron should be commended this week for his actions, not insulted.

Bobby Wagner @Bwagz
We got your back @KingJames 🙏🏾 Someone sure sound like they wish they was you.

Karl-Anthony Towns @KarlTowns
So let me get this straight: Flint, MI has dirty water still, but you worried about an interview about a man doing good for education and generations of kids in his hometown? Shut your damn mouth! Stop using them twitter fingers and get stuff done for our country with that pen. https://t.co/sEkX3OKaJM

Donovan Mitchell @spidadmitchell
A sign of an insecure human being is one who attacks others to make themselves feel better... im just sad that young kids have to see stupid tweets like these and grow up thinking it’s okay... forget everything else Donald your setting a bad example for kids😑 our future 🤡 https://t.co/eg0MECg8xC

Torrey Smith @TorreySmithWR
This is a late night tweet from the PRESIDENT. This tweet is immature and offensive. I would like to know why he considers these two successful black men “dumb”. I know why. Some of y’all need to start believing what he is showing you. 🤷🏿‍♂️ https://t.co/iE79LtGqBz

Aaron Maybin @AaronMMaybin
@realDonaldTrump Seriously? @realDonaldTrump Both of them make you look like an idiot. Not that you need help. You are beyond a shadow of a doubt the dumbest, most unqualified, immoral, and bigoted president to serve during my lifetime. An embarrassment to the American people, and a global joke.

Benjamin Watson @BenjaminSWatson
No matter what #POTUS does for our economy, foreign relations or religious freedom THIS will be his legacy. Insulting Americans. We may disagree on policy, but we must always gravitate toward decency and respect. Leaders lead in word AND deed. We should expect and demand BOTH. https://t.co/9htjzI6LK8

Adam Rippon @Adaripp
@realDonaldTrump LeBron James is helping young people get an education. You are an old delusional racist who puts our country at risk.

shannon sharpe @ShannonSharpe
It should be beneath the dignity of a sitting POTUS to take racist shots at D. Lemon and Lebron James. While only uttering kind words for ruthless dictators, Putin, Kim and Duterte. President Trump, we cape up for ours , “BELIEVE THAT” #KinOrSkinWeRide

Jared Dudley @JaredDudley619
He’s gotta go! https://t.co/rujnO4rbYH

Anthony Tolliver @ATolliver44
I've been silent about ALL of the DUMB stuff this man has tweeted but THIS is attacking the NBA brotherhood and I'm not rollin'! What an embarrassment... https://t.co/zHjgokig8R

Andrew Hawkins @Hawk
I genuinely can't believe he would tweet this about the leader of our country. https://t.co/tjem6bAkKw

Alex Bregman @ABREG_1
LeBron is an amazing role model and has helped so many people. Embarrassing that our Pres. would tweet this... I’ll go back to sticking to sports. Sorry everybody https://t.co/Yy8aniHHHQ

Nick Young @NickSwagyPYoung
LeBron is going to be President one day

James clashed with Trump in September 2017 when he called the President a "bum" and said visiting the White House "was a great honor until you showed up" after the Golden State Warriors' offer to attend, which they planned to decline anyway, was publicly rescinded.