President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One upon arrival at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Helsinki, on July 15. | Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images Melania breaks with Trump on LeBron criticism

First lady Melania Trump broke with President Donald Trump on Saturday over her husband's criticism of LeBron James, saying through a spokeswoman that she is open to visiting a school for at-risk children launched by the basketball star this week.

"It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation and just as she always has, the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today," the first lady's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.


"Mrs. Trump has traveled the country and world talking to children about their well-being, healthy living, and the importance of responsible online behavior with her Be Best initiative. Her platform centers around visiting organizations, hospitals and schools, and she would be open to visiting the I Promise School in Akron."

It's the latest in a series of recent public pushbacks the first lady has delivered against her husband's actions and statements, although Grisham maintained in a further statement that Melania was not "taking sides" in continuing her focus on helping children.

The saga began late Friday when Trump lashed out at James in a late-night tweet after the Los Angeles Laker and three-time NBA champion criticized the president's divisive governing style in a CNN interview.

“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!” the president tweeted at 11:37 p.m.

James was interviewed by Lemon — another frequent Trump target — on multiple subjects including the elementary school for at-risk children financed by James that opened this week in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

"Sports has never been something that divides people," James told Lemon as the interview shifted to the subject of Trump's presidency. "It's always been something that brings someone together."

"I can't sit back and say nothing" about Trump, James added.

Trump's tweet sparked a strong reaction on Twitter, with many surmising that the president was alluding to NBA luminary Michael Jordan, wading into the debate over the greatest basketball player of all time in an attempt to hit back at James.

The president is traveling to Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday for a campaign-style rally. James is a local hero there, having led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA championship in 2016.

The first lady's pushback to her husband was recently noted after the New York Times reported the president was unhappy that Melania Trump watched CNN aboard Air Force One. The first lady's spokeswoman then released a statement saying she could watch any channel she wanted.

Melania Trump has also broken with the president on a number of political issues including tweeting a statement condemning white supremacist violence in Charlottesville, and visiting detention centers for children separated from their families at the southern border.

She has made the wellbeing of children the focal point for her advocacy as first lady, including stressing the harms of cyberbullying, outreach that markedly contrasts with the president's bombastic statements against various public figures and organizations on Twitter.

Trump has frequently criticized professional athletes: high-profile players on several NBA championship-winning teams have said they would refuse to attend the traditional White House celebration in the Trump presidency, while Trump has repeatedly criticized football players protesting during the national anthem.

As of Saturday morning, James had not responded to Trump’s tweet. On Saturday afternoon, NBC News reported that Jordan had released a statement to them, saying, "I support LJ. He’s doing an amazing job for his community.”

Lemon tweeted Saturday: "Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages? #BeBest"