LeBron James criticized Donald Trump on Thursday, and despite criticism from Fox News host Laura Ingraham, he’s standing by his comments.
Ingraham belittled the Cleveland Cavaliers star’s ability to speak out about political issues because he did not go to college, telling him to “shut up and dribble.” But James has effectively brushed off that criticism and is now responding directly to her demands.
James spoke to the media after the All-Star Game practice on Saturday in Los Angeles and essentially explained why he refuses to keep quiet about social and political issues, especially Trump’s presidency.
LeBron James explains why he will never “shut up and dribble.” #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/PXYJcvQ3t8
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) February 17, 2018
“I think I’ve defeated the odds, and I want every kid to know that and I want everybody to know — the youth — that they can do that as well,” James said. “So that’s why I will not just shut up and dribble. Because I mean too much to my two boys here. Their best friend. My daughter that’s at home. My wife, my family. And all these other kids that look up to me for inspiration and trying to find a way out.”
Additionally, James criticized Ingraham’s comments directly, saying “it lets me know that everything I’ve been saying, it’s correct, for her to have that type of reaction.”
LeBron on Laura Ingraham’s comments: “It lets me know that everything I’ve been saying is correct.”
James also wishes she had better fact-checking as he did, in fact, graduate high school. pic.twitter.com/BiR8ntM6YP
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) February 17, 2018
James has shown his commitment to bettering his community again and again throughout his career. He’s also a savvy businessmen — his original comments came from Uninterrupted, a production company he started that allows him to share projects he finds important.
James knew what he was doing when he called Trump out, and he knew the backlash it might start. But for him it’s clear that getting that voice out there is more important than any criticism he receives from those who want him to stick to sports.
