CNN editor Chris Cillizza made it all about race on President Trump wanting thanks for helping three athletes arrested in China Wednesday.

Cillizza wrote, “That the three players are all young black men should also not be lost here. Trump’s history on racial issues–both as president and as a private citizen–shows some level of intentionality when it comes to using racially coded language and taking advantage of racial animus and stereotypes for his own political gain.”

He continued, “The image of an older white man in a position of power demanding thanks from three young black men for saving them will set off a lot of alarm bells for people.”

“And, understandably so, given Trump’s previous actions in the wake of the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and in the ongoing NFL anthem protests,” he adds.

Trump negotiated the release of three UCLA basketball players arrested in China after shoplifting from a Louis Vuitton store in the country and possibly facing 10 years. (RELATED: Trump Asks Whether UCLA Basketball Players Will Thank Him For Avoiding Chinese Prison)

The players did in fact thank President Trump Wednesday in a press conference. (RELATED: UCLA Basketball Players Thank Trump After He Wondered If They Would)