James unsure about return to White House under Trump
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, back center, poses with his Cavaliers teammates for a team pictures during a ceremony hosted by President Barack Obama honoring the 2016 NBA basketball champions, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016. on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
LeBron James said Friday he was undecided about whether he would return to a White House reception hosted by President Donald Trump if the Cleveland Cavaliers were to repeat their NBA Finals triumph.
James, a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton in Tuesday’s election, joined the Cavaliers on Thursday for a reception at the White House with Barack Obama.
But the NBA superstar said Friday in remarks reported by the Washington Post that he was unsure if he would attend similar events in future following Trump’s shock election win.
“I don’t know,” James said. “That’s something that we’ll cross. We’ll have to cross that road if we get there. We’ll see.
“I would hope to have to cross that road. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want another championship.”
James meanwhile admitted he was shocked by Trump’s success, especially in his home state of Ohio, where only 44 percent voted for Clinton despite the NBA superstar’s endorsement.
“It was difficult,” James said. “It was difficult watching it. Me and my wife didn’t go to bed until 4 o’clock in the morning. It was very difficult seeing what happened not only in our state, but in our country. Like I said, it is what it is.
“That’s in the past. We need to live in the present and make our future better.”
James, who has been increasingly active in social issues in recent years, speaking out on gun crime and helping more than 1,000 children from underprivileged backgrounds go to college, appealed for a positive response to Trump’s victory.
“He’s our president,” James said. “No matter if you agree with it or disagree with it, he’s the guy, and we all have to figure a way to make America as great as it can be. We all have to do our part.”
