LeBron James/Michael Jordan GOAT Debate Hits The White House
There isn't anyone alive who's ever watched NBA basketball that hasn't joined in on the debate of who the real GOAT is. This weekend, that debate even reached the White House.
President Trump was asked by a reporter whether he thought Michael Jordan or LeBron James was the greatest of all time, and his answer might have surprised some (unless you've been on the golf course with him):
Trump: "Maybe LeBron is a racist. But maybe he doesn't like Trump. I don't know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way." pic.twitter.com/57WNqHWSHH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2026
“Michael Jordan's a friend of mine; I play golf with him. He’s a really good guy,” Trump said. “I think LeBron is — maybe he’s a racist. But maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know. I only like people that like me. So I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”
As Mike Vorkunov wrote in The Athletic, "James has been a critic of Trump over the last decade and campaigned against him during each of the past three presidential elections."
James endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.
On that front, James has a losing 1-2 record.
Jordan, as we know, has been steadfastly silent on political issues throughout his career, and has never inserted himself into places where he admittedly knows he isn't an expert and thus prudently decides not to engage. Many would consider that a W for MJ.
On the stat sheet, where these debates are more properly decided, James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, averaging 26.8 points per game for his 23-year career. He has four NBA titles, four MVP awards and four NBA Finals awards. But he is 4-6 in his 10 Finals appearances.
Jordan, on the other hand, is 6-0 in the NBA Finals, six championships. He has five MVPs and six NBA Finals MVPs. His 33.4 points per game is the highest career mark of all-time.
The GOAT debate rages on, but the President has already cast his ballot.
