SANDUSKY, Ohio: LeBron James went after President Donald Trump in an emotional speech on Tuesday night, calling him the “so-called President” while calling for unity in light of the Charlottesville tragedy.
Standing on stage before students, parents and families connected to his foundation at the end of a daylong event at Cedar Point Amusement Park, James said he wanted to spend a moment addressing the weekend’s violent protests, where a woman was killed amid ugly clashes between far-right extremists and protesters out to stop them.
While holding his baby daughter, James turned his thoughts to the violence.
“I know there’s a lot of tragic things happening in Charlottesville (Virginia),” James said. “I just want to speak on it right now. I have this platform and I’m somebody that has a voice of command and the only way for us to get better as a society and for us to get better as people is love. And that’s the only way we’re going to be able to conquer something as one. It’s not about the guy that’s the so-called president of the United States, or whatever the case.”
Earlier in the day, the NBA superstar blasted Trump on Twitter after the president appeared to equate the actions of white supremacists and those protesting them.
James has been outspoken on his political beliefs in the past, and he took advantage of his first public appearance since the NBA Finals, to call out Trump’s actions.
“It’s not about a teacher that you don’t feel like cares about what’s going on with you every day,” James continued. “It’s not about people that you just don’t feel like want to give the best energy and effort to you. It’s about us. It’s about us looking in the mirror. Kids all the way up to the adults. All of us looking in the mirror and saying, ‘What can we do better to help change?’ And if we can all do that and give 110 percent, then that’s all you can ask for.
“So, shout out to the innocent people in Charlottesville (Virginia) and shout out to everybody across the world that just want to be great and just want to love. Thank you, and I love you all.”
James was joined on stage by his three children, singers Usher and Jordin Sparks, who performed during the event, and Cavaliers teammate J.R. Smith.
The three-time champion flew to New York earlier Tuesday to play in pickup games with Warriors star Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks.
This is not the first time James has used his status to take on social issues — or take a swipe at Trump.
During the season, James was asked if the All-Star voting was “goofy” because players were involved in the balloting.
“There’s always goofy votes,” James quipped. “I mean, Donald Trump is our president.”
He has taken a far more serious tone on other matters. When he was with Miami, James and his teammates wore hooded sweatshirts to protest the deadly shooting of teenager Trayvon Martin. He also wore an “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt when the Cavaliers were in Brooklyn as a tribute to Eric Garner, who had been choked to death in a struggle with police.
During last year’s ESPYs, James stood on stage with Anthony and fellow All-Stars Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade to demand social change.
LeBron blasts Trump, calls him ‘so-called President’
LeBron blasts Trump, calls him ‘so-called President’
Real Madrid crash out of Copa del Rey at Albacete on Arbeloa debut
- Albacete frustrated Madrid after the break and then burst into life in attack to take the lead once more
MADRID: Real Madrid fell to a shock 3-2 defeat in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday as Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as coach ended in humiliation by second-tier opposition.
Appointed on Monday to replace Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and his side were ousted by Jefte Betancor’s stoppage-time winner at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.
Without French superstar Kylian Mbappe and various other key players, Arbeloa’s side struggled against a side currently 17th in Spain’s second division.
Albacete took the lead through Javi Villar but Franco Mastantuono equalized just before half-time.
Jefte put the hosts back ahead after 82 minutes and then scored the winner after Gonzalo Garcia’s 91st-minute goal looked to have forced extra time for the 15-time European champions.
“Here at this club a draw is already bad — it’s a tragedy. Imagine a defeat like this, it’s painful,” Arbeloa told reporters.
“I’m sure all our fans feel the same way. Even more so when it happens against a team from a lower division, although we already know here how tough any opponent can be.
“If anyone is responsible and to blame for this outcome, it’s clearly me, the one who made the decisions regarding the line-up, how we wanted to play, the substitutions.
“I can only thank the players for the way they welcomed me, for the effort they put in today.”
After Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday against rivals Barcelona, president Florentino Perez replaced Alonso with reserve team coach Arbeloa.
The Spaniard selected two players currently playing in the reserves he led until Monday — holding midfielder Jorge Cestero and right-back David Jimenez.
As well as Mbappe he left out players including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham, to rest ahead of the return to La Liga action on Saturday against Levante.
“I’d do the same again, I brought a team capable of winning,” said Arbeloa.
The first half was mostly played under heavy gloom, not just Madrid’s mood but an intense fog which set in a few minutes into the game.
Vinicius Junior smashed high and wide from long range as neither side produced any clear chances until shortly before half-time when the hosts took a shock lead.
Villar escaped Mastantuono’s attentions at a corner and nodded Albacete in front after 42 minutes.
Arbeloa’s side levelled before the break through, also capitalizing on a corner, with Mastantuono turning home from close range.
Jefte’s double
Albacete frustrated Madrid after the break and then burst into life in attack to take the lead once more.
Andriy Lunin pushed away an effort from Riki but shortly afterwards Jefte put Alberto Gonzalez’s side ahead.
Gonzalo Garcia’s clearance fell to the striker in the box and he fired down into the ground with ball bouncing up and flashing past Lunin.
Madrid’s young forward made amends by pulling his team level in stoppage time with a well-placed header.
However there was a sting in the tale as Jefte produced a sensational lofted finish past Lunin to snatch a famous late victory for Albacete, their first ever against Real Madrid.
“I’m not afraid of failure, I can understand that someone would want to call this defeat that,” added Arbeloa.
“Failure is on the path to success, for me they are not in opposite directions.”
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, who came on as a substitute and could not stop Jefte’s winner, said the players would work hard to revert the club’s slump.
“We’re not at our best moment, we have to work hard, we all have to give a lot more, it’s a reality,” Carvajal told reporters.
“We ask for forgiveness for the fans. We were not up to the level of this club, me first of all, and we will give our lives in the next games and months (to turn it around).”
Elsewhere Real Betis beat Elche 2-1 and Alaves defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
Holders Barcelona visit second division leaders Racing Santander on Thursday.
