NBA star LeBron James called President Trump a “bum” on Saturday after Trump said Stephen Curry was no longer welcome at the White House following the Golden State Warriors’ championship victory.
“U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore ain’t no invite,” James tweeted. “Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
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NBA championship teams have traditionally paid a visit to the White House, and the Golden State Warriors have reportedly been mulling a visit after defeating James’s Cleveland Cavaliers this year.
But earlier Saturday, Trump said Curry’s invitation to the White House was “withdrawn” because the NBA point guard was “hesitating.”
“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” Trump tweeted. “Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
A formal White House invitation has not been issued, but the NBA has been in contact with the White House about the issue, ESPN reported.
Curry had said this week he didn’t want the Warriors to visit the White House because of Trump.
Curry said his reasons for not wanting to visit the White House were “that we basically don’t stand for what our president has said, and the things he hasn’t said at the right time,” according to SF Gate.
“By not going, hopefully it will inspire some change for what we tolerate in this country and what we stand for, what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye toward,” he said.
“You can talk about all the different personalities that have said things and done things from [Colin] Kaepernick to what happened with Michael Bennett to all sorts of examples of what has gone on in our country that has led to change,” Curry continued.
“We’re all trying to do what we can, using our platforms, our opportunities, to shed light on it. I don’t think not going to the White House will miraculously make everything better. But this is my opportunity to voice that.”
Trump attacked Kaepernick on Friday at a rally in Alabama, saying NFL team owners should fire players who kneel during the national anthem.