Donald Trump has sparked uproar online after taking aim at basketball superstar LeBron James, with many social media users calling the US president “racist” and a “bully”.

In a tweet late on Friday, Trump questioned the intelligence of the three-time NBA champion, following an interview on CNN with host Don Lemon, in which James criticised the Republican president for “dividing the sport”.

“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do,” Trump said.

“I like Mike!” he added, referring to NBA legend Michael Jordan, who along with James is widely considered as one of the greatest basketball players ever.

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! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018

In the wide-ranging one-on-one interview which was first aired on Monday with a repeat broadcast on Friday, Lemon asked James: “What would you say to the [US] president if he was sitting right here?”

“I would never sit across from him,” the four-time MVP replied, before adding: “I’d sit across from Barack [Obama], though.”

James, who signed recently for the Los Angeles Lakers, was being interviewed about a school he recently opened for underprivileged children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, among other topics.

Trump vs James

Reacting to Trump’s tweet, fellow athletes, sports writers and fans jumped to James’ defence and criticised the US president, while Jordan also offered his support.

“I support LeBron James,” Jordan said in a statement to the Associated Press news agency on Saturday. “He’s doing an amazing job for his community.”

American football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted: “It should be beneath the dignity of a sitting US president to take racist shots at Don Lemon and LeBron James.”

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 — shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) August 4, 2018

Completely inappropriate for the #POTUS to behave like a small child and bully. I don’t care if the he responding to someone who literally calls him names every day. Our president should be above such things. Yet another reason why #Trump is unfit for office. — Trestle (@ttrestler) August 4, 2018

NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, questioned Trump’s priorities.

“So let me get this straight: Flint, Missouri, has dirty water still, but you worried about an interview about a man doing good for education and generations of kids in his hometown?” he asked the president on Twitter.

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 — Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 4, 2018

Many also drew a comparison between James’ new school for at-risk children and the defunct Trump University, a for-profit educational institution, which was shut down following multiple lawsuits.

https://twitter.com/GaryThomas_LA/status/1025801195338620928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

One of these guys opened an all expenses paid school for children…One of these guys opened a school and was sued by his students…Which one of these guys do you stand with?? #LabronJames — I care, why don’t you? (@HarijainD) August 4, 2018

Others took aim at Trump’s controversial immigration policy separating migrant children from their detained families, which saw many minors reportedly held in cages at border facilities.

#LeBron puts children through school and is a positive force in this country. #Trump puts children in cages and rips them from their parents. — André G. Travieso (@AndreTravieso) August 4, 2018

CNN anchor Lemon also chimed into the Twitter debate, saying: “Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages?”

War of words

Since taking office, Trump has clashed with several US sports stars, most notably after he called on the National Football League (NFL) owners to fire players who protest during the national anthem.

During a speech in Alabama in September last year, Trump said: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a b**** off the field right now. Out! He’s fired’.”

Trump rescinded a White House invitation to basketball star Stephen Curry, who had said he would “vote” against the planned visit by the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

At the time, James came to Curry’s defence.

U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up! — LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017

“Going to White House was a great honour until you showed up!” James said on Twitter.