Tim Scott: Trump not singling out minority athletes

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Sunday he doesn’t believe President Trump is singling out minorities in his recent attacks on professional athletes.

While critics have said Trump targets minorities in his feuds, Scott argued that Trump fights back against anyone he disagrees with, regardless of race.

“If you’re going to steal, and you’re going to steal in China, and someone gets you out of that, you ought to say ‘thank you,’ and they should say ‘you’re welcome,’ ” Scott said on ABC’s “This Week” regarding Trump’s ongoing spat with UCLA player LiAngelo Ball’s father, LaVar Ball.

“I think it deserves a thank you without having to be asked for it,” Scott added.

{mosads}LiAngelo Ball was one of three UCLA basketball players arrested earlier this month on shoplifting charges while on a team trip to China.

Trump spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping about securing their release, and later took credit for getting the players home.

The players held a press conference in which they apologized and thanked Trump, but Trump lashed out at LaVar Ball for refusing to acknowledge the president’s role in bringing his son home.

“If you help, you shouldn’t have to say anything,” LaVar Ball told CNN last week. “Let him do his political affairs and let me handle my son, and let’s just stay in our lane.”

Trump’s feud with LaVar Ball carried into last week, with the president calling Ball an “ungrateful fool.”

Trump also over the holiday break took to Twitter to criticize the NFL for not punishing players who protest during the national anthem. He has been sharply critical all season of the league for not punishing players who do not stand for the national anthem.