First Lady Melania Trump came to LeBron James’ defense and praised him after her husband, President Donald Trump, insulted the basketball superstar on social media. However, according to a senior White House official, the first lady isn’t “taking sides.”
Through a spokeswoman on Saturday, the first lady said James was “working to do good things on behalf of our next generation.”
“Just as she always has, the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today,” Mrs. Trump's communications director, Stephanie Grisham, said in the statement. “As you know, Mrs. Trump has traveled the country and world talking to children about their well-being, healthy living, and the importance of responsible online behavior with her Be Best initiative.”
“Her platform centers around visiting organizations, hospitals and schools, and she would be open to visiting the I Promise School in Akron,” the statement continued, referring to the school James opened last week for at-risk elementary children.
The first lady’s statement came a day after Trump took a swipe at James, saying it was hard to make “LeBron look smart.”
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
The tweet came in response to a CNN interview with James and CNN host Don Lemon. James spoke from the public, non-charter school he opened for at-risk kids in Akron, called the I Promise school. The school also provides free food, snacks, uniforms, and even a bike, for the students, ABC News reports.
A senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity with ABC News, said that the first lady’s remarks should not be interpreted as her choosing one side over the other.
“That wasn't her taking sides — that was her office stick to what she is focused on, which is using Be Best for what it's intended — to help children,” the official said.
CNN took to Twitter on Saturday, remarking on Trump’s comments and referencing to Mrs. Trump’s Be Best initiative.
Sounds like @FLOTUS had the remote last night. 📺 We hope you both saw the incredible work of @KingJames. #BeBesthttps://t.co/3Ok0z9Z6Ro
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) August 4, 2018
Lemon responded via Twitter on Saturday, using Mrs. Trump’s initiative against her husband.
“Who's the real dummy?” Lemon tweeted. “A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages. #BeBest.”
Who’s the real dummy? A man who puts kids in classrooms or one who puts kids in cages? #BeBesthttps://t.co/XO50qVksnR
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) August 4, 2018
