The Latest: Trump doesn't talk about James during Ohio rally
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's comments on former Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James (all times local):
8:45 p.m.
President Donald Trump insulted the intelligence of NBA star LeBron James via Twitter but didn't repeat his criticism of the Ohio native before a home-state crowd.
Trump traveled to a high school north of Columbus for a political rally Saturday night. The visit came on the heels of controversy over Trump's late Friday tweet.
The president tweeted after an interview James did with CNN anchor Don Lemon that Lemon was "the dumbest man on television" but that he "made Lebron look smart, which isn't easy to do." James was being interviewed about a school he recently opened in Ohio for underprivileged children.
Trump's rally lasted for more than an hour, and while he attacked Democrats and other familiar targets, he never mentioned the home-state hero.
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3 p.m.
A spokeswoman for Melania Trump says it appears that LeBron James is "working to do good things" and that the first lady would be willing to visit the new school he opened in Ohio.
The statement from Stephanie Grisham on Saturday came hours after a late-night tweet from President Donald Trump in which he derided James' intelligence, saying it "wasn't easy" to make the NBA superstar look smart.
Grisham says, "It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation."
The statement notes that Mrs. Trump has been promoting her Be Best campaign and talking to children about the "importance of responsible online behavior." Grisham adds that the first lady "would be open" to visiting James' school.
The statement doesn't criticize the president.
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2:50 p.m.
Michael Jordan is speaking out in support of LeBron James after President Donald Trump insulted his intelligence.
Trump tweeted late Friday after apparently watching an interview James did with CNN anchor Don Lemon that Lemon was "the dumbest man on television" but that he "made Lebron look smart, which isn't easy to do." James was being interviewed about a school he recently opened in Ohio for underprivileged children.
Trump also appeared to weigh in on the growing debate over who is the greatest NBA player of all time, James or Jordan, by writing "I like Mike!"
Jordan issued a statement through his spokesperson to The Associated Press via text. It said: "I support LeBron James. He's doing an amazing job for his community."
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1:45 p.m.
A number of athletes are jumping in to defend NBA superstar LeBron James after President Donald Trump insulted his intelligence.
Trump tweeted late Friday after apparently watching an interview James did with CNN anchor Don Lemon that Lemon was "the dumbest man on television" but that he "made Lebron look smart, which isn't easy to do." James was being interviewed about a school he recently opened in Ohio for underprivileged children.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted Saturday: "It should be beneath the dignity of a sitting POTUS to take racist shots at D. Lemon and Lebron James."
NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns tweeted: "So let me get this straight: Flint, MI has dirty water still, but you worried about an interview about a man doing good for education and generations of kids in his hometown?"
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9:40 a.m.
President Donald Trump is turning his wrath on basketball superstar LeBron James.
Trump tweeted late Friday that James was interviewed "by the dumbest man on television," CNN anchor Don Lemon, but that he "made Lebron look smart, which isn't easy to do."
The president ended his tweet by saying "I like Mike!" — seeming to side with Michael Jordan in the debate over whether he or James is the greatest NBA player of all time.
James has long been critical of Trump. In his interview with Lemon, he said he'd consider running for president if he believed he was the only person who could stop Trump from being re-elected.
James had just opened a school for underprivileged children in Ohio. Trump is traveling to Ohio on Saturday for a campaign rally.
