On Friday night, U.S. President Donald Trump again took the national political conversation down a notch when he — the president of the United States of America — attacked NBA star Lebron James on Twitter. He did so after an interview Don Lemon did with the athlete aired on CNN for the second time.
The network itself has now responded to the president’s Twitter meltdown, pointing out the irony in Trump again rage tweeting about them after having in the past made a show of not watching the channel. That show has included him raging at the first lady’s television playing CNN on Air Force One recently, according to reports.
Replying to the president’s Friday tweet, the CNN communications team quipped:
‘Sounds like [Melania Trump] had the remote last night. We hope you both saw the incredible work of [Lebron James].’
Sounds like @FLOTUS had the remote last night. ? We hope you both saw the incredible work of @KingJames. #BeBesthttps://t.co/3Ok0z9Z6Ro
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) August 4, 2018
The network included the hashtag “#BeBest” in reference to the first lady’s “Be Best” anti-bullying initiative, which remains ironic because of how much time the president spends bullying people on Twitter.
The “incredible work” that James is doing and CNN mentions in their tweet includes the I Promise School’s recent opening in Akron, Ohio, where the basketball player is from. His new educational endeavor will offer everything from free bikes for students to an on-site food bank to free tuition at the University of Akron starting in 2021. The school even offers help for at risk students’ parents, providing GED and job placement assistance.
Appearing on CNN, James contrasted his work to what President Trump is doing.
He told the network’s Don Lemon:
‘What I’ve noticed over the past few months is [Trump’s] kind of using sports to divide us, and that’s something I can’t relate to.’
Indeed, the president has used sports to exacerbate the divide his rise to power has made pronounced in the United States. He’s gone after NFL players who have chosen to peacefully protest on behalf of African Americans during the pre-game national anthem as “sons of bitches” who should be fired. In so doing, he’s whipped up his own base and forced those who support the basic principle of peaceful protest to be on the defensive.
Outside of the NFL, the president has lashed out when championship athletes have balked at an invitation to visit the White House while his administration occupies it.
Evidently, Trump did not appreciate James pointing out his behavior during the interview that aired recently on CNN.
In his original angry tweet about the subject, the president wrote:
‘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!’
Responses to the president pointed out the racist undertones, considering both Lemon and James are black.
The president has routinely singled out Lemon’s network for criticism, repeatedly putting CNN on blast before the world via angry tweets and angry mid-press conference meltdowns.
Ironically, the president’s rage-tweeting about Lebron has only brought him and his work more attention and earned the president more scrutiny. No matter what the president insists, CNN does not peddle fake news, and James’ work remains widely beneficial for many people.
Featured Image via YouTube screenshot
