LeBron James deletes tweet targeting officer who shot Ma'Khia Bryant
LeBron James has deleted a tweet he posted Tuesday night in reaction to the shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant, amid a vocal response from conservative voices including former president Donald Trump.
The tweet in question featured a picture of Columbus police officer Nicholas Reardon, who shot the 16-year-old Bryant while responding to a 911 call on Tuesday. The tweet read "YOU'RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY" and included an hourglass emoji:
The tweet likely refers to the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. Chauvin was found guilty on Tuesday of three charges, including second-degree murder. James posted a tweet that simply read "ACCOUNTABILITY" after the verdict, and appeared to be calling for the Columbus officer to receive similar consequences.
James said tweet was used to 'create more hate'
James' tweet received a fierce backlash from conservatives on social media, where debate has raged about the shooting of Bryant. While details were initially limited about the shooting as protesters gathered at Columbus police headquarters, officials have since released bodycam footage showing Bryant appearing to attack a young woman with a knife as she was shot.
A day after posting the tweet, James said he deleted it because it was "being used to create more hate" and called for more accountability in the criminal justice system.
I’m so damn tired of seeing Black people killed by police. I took the tweet down because its being used to create more hate -This isn’t about one officer. it’s about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism. I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 21, 2021
James also posted a tweet appearing to say he had been tweeting out of anger and should have gathered all the facts, but remains sympathetic to Bryant and her family.
ANGER does any of us any good and that includes myself! Gathering all the facts and educating does though! My anger still is here for what happened that lil girl. My sympathy for her family and may justice prevail! 🙏🏾✊🏾🤎👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 21, 2021
James has been out for the Lakers since mid-March with a high ankle sprain, but was recently reported to have progressed to light work on the court with his rehab.
Donald Trump accuses LeBron James of racist rants
A day after James said he deleted the tweet, Trump released a statement blasting James for "RACIST rants" that are "divisive, nasty, insulting, and demeaning" and claimed the NBA had hit another ratings low.
NEW: Fmr. President Trump issues statement on LeBron James:
"He may be a great basketball player, but he is doing nothing to bring our Country together!" pic.twitter.com/a1x9KhUKFE— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 23, 2021
While NBA regular season and playoff ratings sagged last year, the story is considerably more complicated than players alienating fans by protesting racial injustice. The ratings also aren't a huge concern for the league, which CNBC reports is seeking a television deal in the range of $7 billion to $8 billion per year.
More from Yahoo Sports: