Last week basketball superstar Lebron James sat down with Don Lemon from CNN in a one on one interview where he sharply criticized President Trump. Lebron stated the following in regards to Trump:

JAMES: I think both. I think athletics are important but also their mind. I think both. I think it just plays — it bring — when you’re part of sports and you’re part of — it just brings so much camaraderie and so much fun. You know, we are in a position right now in America more importantly

where this whole — this race thing is taking over, you know. And because one because I believe our president is kind of trying to divide us. But I think–

(CROSSTALK)

LEMON: Kind of?

JAMES: Yes. He is. He is. Not only is he kind of. He’s dividing us, and what I noticed over the last few months that he’s kind of used sport to kind of divide us, and that’s something that I can’t relate to. Because I know that sport was the first time I ever was around someone white. You know?

And I got an opportunity to see them and learn about them, and they got an opportunity to learn about me, and we became very good friends, and I was like, wow, this is all because of sports. And sports has never been something that divide people. It’s always been something that brings someone together.

…….

LEMON: One more question. What would you say to the president if he was sitting right here?

JAMES: I would never sit across from him.

LEMON: You would never, you don’t want to talk to him?

JAMES: No. I’d sit across from Barack, though.

In response to Lebron, President Trump 4 days later commented on the interview saying, “Lebron James 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 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

Several celebrities and athletes have gone on to make statements about Trump’s tweet. Some were mundane, while some were calling what Trump said extreme racism.

On the Mundane side was Michael Jordan, or “Mike”, who released the following statement, “I support LeBron James. He’s doing an amazing job for his community.”

And, on the incredibly opinionated side was NFL Hall of Famer, Shannon Sharpe who said, “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””

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

Sharpe wasn’t alone in believing there to be a racial element to Trump’s tweet, even though race was never commented on or hinted at by the President. Dan Rather stated, “This is apparently what the President of the United States feels the need to share with the world at what should be long past his bedtime? It’s a disgrace. It’s racist. And it’s the product of petty but dangerous hatreds. I repeat this is the PRESIDENT??!?”

This is apparently what the President of the United States feels the need to share with the world at what should be long past his bedtime? It’s a disgrace. It’s racist. And it’s the product of petty but dangerous hatreds. I repeat this is the PRESIDENT??!? https://t.co/MA8nZUxFc7 — Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 4, 2018

And, Jemele Hill insinuated racism saying, “There’s a lot of insults the president could have hurled at LeBron and Don Lemon, but it says something that the president openly questioned their intelligence. Gee, wonder why.”

There’s a lot of insults the president could have hurled at LeBron and Don Lemon, but it says something that the president openly questioned their intelligence. Gee, wonder why. — Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 4, 2018

Are the shouts of racism warranted? Trump who employs many African American’s at the highest levels of government and his company, also said in the tweet that he likes Michael Jordan, who is African American. And, Trump regularly attacks other peoples’ intelligence (all races). So this seems to be just another counter-attack on a celebrity who was attacking Trump first, nothing more, nothing less.