NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
President Donald Trump has weighed in on one of basketball’s biggest debates: Who is better, LeBron James or Michael Jordan?
For Trump, the answer is easy. The president is totally on board with Jordan.
“Michael Jordan is a guy who’s a friend of mine, plays golf with him. He’s a really good guy. And I think LeBron is, maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump, I don’t know. But I only like people who like me. So I’m going to say Michael Jordan all the way,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Friday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
President Donald Trump speaks at Wheeler High School on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Marietta, Ga. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
Trump was asked the question about James vs. Jordan because James announced Friday that he plans to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. He will sign a two-year, $8 million contract, according to ESPN.
Jordan played in the NBA for 15 seasons and won six titles in his career, all of which came with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan retired twice during his career playing baseball after the Bulls’ first three-peat in the 1993-94 season.
He returned during the 1994–95 season, and the Bulls began their second three-peat a year later during the 1995–96 season. Jordan then retired again, this time for three seasons, and spent the final two seasons of his career with the Washington Wizards.
In his career, Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game. game, the most in NBA history, along with 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists. The Basketball Hall of Famer made the All-Star team 14 times, won five MVPs, six NBA Finals MVPs, was a 10-time scoring champion and made the All-Defensive Team nine times.
LEBRON JAMES DECIDES ON NBA FREE AGENCY, ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SIGN WITH 76ERS
Michael Jordan holds up six fingers for every Bulls championship as he addresses the crowd at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park on June 16, 1998 in Chicago. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
James is entering his 24th season, his first with the 76ers. He spent the first seven years of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, then signed with the Miami Heat to create “The Big 3” with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
James won the first two of his four NBA titles with the Heat in 2011-12 and 2012-13. After four seasons with the Heat, James returned home to Cleveland.
In his second stint with the Cavaliers, James led the Cavaliers to the title in 2015-16, completing a 3-1 series comeback over the Golden State Warriors. After four more seasons in Cleveland, James left for the Los Angeles Lakers.
In eight seasons with the Lakers, James won one NBA title in the 2019-20 season. That championship was won in the Florida bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
James is the NBA’s leader in games, points, most All-Star selections and All-NBA selections. He is the only player in NBA history to score more than 43,000 points and has the most 30-point games (700) of all time.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks toward his bench after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 1 of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 5, 2026. (Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)
He has won the MVP award four times, is a 22-time All-Star, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a four-time Finals MVP and a six-time All-Defensive Team member.
In his career, he has averaged 26.8 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Both James and Jordan have incredible resumes, which has led to one of the most contentious debates in sports. But even as James’ resume continues to grow, Trump’s answer is clear: Jordan all the way.
