LeBron James, Lakers meet Bill Clinton after game in Brooklyn
LeBron James said it was "just surreal" to speak briefly with the former president on the floor after the Lakers defeated the Nets at Barclays Center.
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LeBron James Faces Backlash for Calling Bill Clinton 'First Black President'
The L.A. Lakers player takes to Instagram to gush over his meeting with the former PLOTUS at a basketball game, only to be met with backlash from his followers on the platform.
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LeBron James got the chance to meet Bill Clinton on Thursday night, January 23, when his team L.A. Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets. The basketball player was so excited to be able to meet the former PLOTUS that he took to Instagram to share a couple of photos of their meet-up. However, the caption of his post successfully ruffled a lot of people's feathers.
Alongside a photo of them together, LeBron wrote, "As Toni Morrison said 'The first black president', We appreciate you still to this day! Big Bill The (goat emoji)." The backlash was immediate, with many people expressing disappointment over what he wrote. "Damn bron you was doing good until this bulls***," one said
Reminding the NBA star of what Bill did, another commented, "This dude made policies that hurt the black community. Did you know that Bron?" Some others told LeBron to delete the post, while someone advised him to "disable comment Lebron they are about to go in." A different individual pointed out, "His bill led to the direct incarceration of young black men and he decimated Haiti. Bill was never our friend. Not then... Not now."
There was also one who blasted him, "He doesn't know any better. If it's not scripted and produced he's lost and confused when it comes to real issues." Meanwhile, another person mocked LeBron, "This is what happens when you have a large platform, millions of dollars and NO EDUCATION."
LeBron has yet to respond to the backlash.
Prior to the post, LeBron let it be known how much he adores Bill Clinton in a candid interview, "Between him and Barack [Obama], my presidents, guys that I've just admired, when Bill was in office and obviously when Barack in office. To be able to have a personal relationship with Barack and being able to go up to Bill and he knows me, it's just surreal."
He continued, "I know you all get sick and tired of hearing about the kid from Akron, you have no idea where I come from and the odds that were stacked up against me, to have moments where I can shake the President of the United States' hand and be on a first-name basis, it's crazy."
