Former FBI Director James Comey said he’s “grateful” to NBA star LeBron James for showing what it means to be a leader in the era of President Trump.
“Grateful to one of my heroes [LeBron James], for again showing what leadership, service, and class look like,” Comey tweeted Monday.
Grateful to one of my heroes, @KingJames, for again showing what leadership, service, and class look like. #IPromise
— James Comey (@Comey) August 6, 2018
Trump attacked the NBA great late Friday after James considered whether he’d run for president if no other candidate had the potential of beating Trump. He also criticized the president for using sports to create a greater divide between Americans.
[Opinion: It’s LeBron James, not Donald Trump, who’s using sports to divide us]
As CNN re-aired host Don Lemon’s interview with James on Friday night, Trump took to Twitter to fire back, calling Lemon “the dumbest man on earth.”
“He made Lebron look smart,” Trump continued.
James has not responded to the president’s remarks, but first lady Melania Trump distanced herself from her husband’s comments, offering to visit James’ newly completed I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, designed to help underserved kids.
“It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation,” said Melania Trump’s spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham. “And just as she always has, the first lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today.”
The first lady encourages “responsible online behavior” as part of her Be Best initiative, Grisham added.
