Bashing Ex-POTUS Donald Trump, LeBron James Once Had an Honest Reaction to Comparison With Muhammad Ali’s Situation Amid the Vietnam War

Being a role model is harder than some people may believe. LeBron James has proven over time with his various stances outside the court of basketball that he’s a proper role model. On top of being one of the best basketball players ever, the Los Angeles Lakers star regularly speaks out against discrimination.

While his stances have given him a few enemies, James never shies away from speaking his mind. His dispute with former POTUS Donald Trump is well known. The two have often criticized each other. However, back in 2017, James dismissed the notion that his actions might result in him getting the Muhammad Ali treatment after he snubbed the Vietnam War.

LeBron James had called Trump a “bum” in one of his tweets. An interviewer asked him whether that will have the same effect on him as the Vietnam War did on the legendary Muhammad Ali. He said, “I think Ali represented something bigger than Ali. He wanted to make a change for a future without him included. That’s what Ali brought to the table.”

Back in 1966, Ali had refused to get drafted into the military for the Vietnam War. He was found guilty of draft evasion and all his boxing titles were stripped.

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“I don’t know what it’s like to live in every state in this country, but I know freedom“, James revealed. LeBron mentioned that he knew the kind of opportunities people were given in the US. Seeing someone in charge not understand that was baffling to him as well as to the people who helped grow the country.

LeBron James dismissed the notion of his situation being similar to Muhammad Ali’s

James rejected any comparisons to Ali. “But Muhammad Ali’s correlation to the war… I don’t think me and Donald Trump could ever get to that point“, James said. While he is a trailblazer for the current generation, James arguably doesn’t come close to the impact and magnitude of what Ali had done.

LeBron James went on to win another championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers and he is still going strong. While it could have ended badly for him, James wasn’t scared and kept his beliefs.

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In the twilight of his career, LeBron James will be hoping to win at least one more championship. With his son being on the cusp of entering the league, there’s a lot to look forward to for James. Only time will tell whether he wins more or not.