CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fox News host Laura Ingraham doesn't want to hear LeBron James' thoughts on politics.

James, who appeared along with Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant in an Uninterrupted video released Thursday, said President Donald Trump "doesn't understand the people and really don't give a f--- about the people."

On her show "The Ingraham Angle," the host, one of Trump's strongest supporters on a network stacked with them, introduced the clip of James and Durant by calling the Cavs star's comments "R-rated," "barely intelligible" and "ungrammatical."

"I'm numb to this commentary. Must they run their mouths like that?" Ingraham began. "Unfortunately, a lot of kids and some adults take these ignorant comments seriously.

"Look, there might be a cautionary lesson in LeBron for kids. This is what happens when you attempt to leave high school a year early to join the NBA. And it's always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball. Oh, LeBron and Kevin, you're great players but no one voted for you. Millions elected Trump to be their coach. So, keep the political commentary to yourself, or, as someone once said, shut up and dribble."

Ingraham's comments sparked an immediate reaction from sports commentators on Twitter.

"LeBron is one of greatest examples of our country we've ever seen. He went from nothing to something. He had to be excellent at everything. To insinuate he's not intelligent is appalling," Jemele Hill from ESPN's The Undefeated posted.

LeBron is one of greatest examples of our country we’ve ever seen. He went from nothing to something. He had to be excellent at everything. To insinuate he’s not intelligent is appalling — Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) February 16, 2018

"This is infuriating," AL.com columnist Joseph Goodman weighed in. "LeBron James is one of the smartest people I've ever covered. His advocacy and social awareness have defined a generation of American athletes. He's also going to be a billionaire before he's 40. This anchor is pandering, obviously."

This is infuriating. LeBron James is one of the smartest people I've ever covered. His advocacy and social awareness have defined a generation of American athletes. He's also going to be a billionaire before he's 40. This anchor is pandering, obviously. https://t.co/xYnHockj9i — Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) February 16, 2018

ThinkProgress editor Judd Legum added, "She says LeBron should not comment on politics because no one voted for him. NO ONE VOTED FOR LAURA INGRAHAM EITHER. Also, does anyone doubt LeBron could be elected Governor of Ohio?"

She says LeBron should not comment on politics because no one voted for him.



NO ONE VOTED FOR LAURA INGRAHAM EITHER



Also, does anyone doubt LeBron could be elected Governor of Ohio? — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) February 16, 2018

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long called out Fox News for what he perceived as hypocrisy by tweeting screenshots of celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Chuck Norris, Jon Voight, Kid Rock, and others, all of whom have appeared on the network to provide political commentary.

Later Friday in a statement provided by Fox News, Ingraham said she has used the "shut up and (blank)" line in the past to criticize other celebrities including the Dixie Chicks, Robert DeNiro, Jimmy Kimmel and, most recently, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

"If pro athletes and entertainers want to freelance as political pundits, then they should not be surprised when they're called out for insulting politicians," Ingraham said.

She also shot down critcism that her comments came off as racist.

"There was no racial intent in my remarks. False, defamatory charges of racism are a transparent attempt to immunize entertainment and sports elites from scrutiny and criticism."

In the Uninterrupted video, James, who previously called Trump a "bum" on Twitter and campaigned for Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election, explained why he has been so vocal on politics.

"Right now, with the president of the United States, it's at a bad time. While we cannot change what comes out of that man's mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us, as this is not the way."