Story at a glance
- Former President Trump criticized basketball star Lebron James Thursday after the NBA player posted a controversial tweet about Nicholas Reardon, the Ohio police officer who shot and killed 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant.
- “LeBron James should focus on basketball rather than presiding over the destruction of the NBA,” Trump said in a statement.
- James, in a now deleted tweet, posted a picture of Reardon alongside the caption: “YOU’RE NEXT,” after the conviction of Derek Chauvin
Former President Trump criticized basketball star Lebron James Thursday after the NBA player posted a controversial tweet about Nicholas Reardon, the Ohio police officer who shot and killed 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant.
“LeBron James should focus on basketball rather than presiding over the destruction of the NBA,” Trump said in a statement.
“His RACIST rants are divisive, nasty, insulting, and demeaning,” Trump added. “He may be a great basketball player, but he is doing nothing to bring our Country together!”
Footage of the shooting shows Reardon firing on Bryant when she was running at another person while allegedly holding a knife. Bryant’s mother and aunt say she was defending herself. The incident has sparked new demonstrations promoting equality and police reform.
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James, in a now deleted tweet, posted a picture of Reardon alongside the caption: “YOU’RE NEXT,” after Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd.
The Los Angeles Lakers star said he deleted the tweet because it was being misused, adding that he’s “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.” James tweeted. “I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY.”
“ANGER does [sic] 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!” James added.
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