Donald Trump warns NBA 'in big trouble' after players kneel during national anthem

US President Donald Trump believes NBA players are "dumb" eugh to hurt ir ratings by opting to kneel during national anm. During a rio interview session on Tuesday, Trump explained how NBA players' persistence with controversial protests have resulted in low viewership numbers since season restarted in Orlando last month.

Most NBA players have opted to kneel during national anm as a sign of support for Black Lives Matter movement, that ensued after death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Since league restarted, players have shown solidarity for anti-racism protests by donning t-shirts with social justice messs.

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Donald Trump on NBA players kneeling during national anm

“I haven’t ticed m (NBA players) sending things back to me but I will say that you kw, I wouldn’t be that surprised,” Donald Trump told Fox Sports’ Outkick with Clay Travis. As some are very nasty, very, very nasty and frankly very dumb. But I haven’t ticed that.”

" kneeling has been horrible for basketball. y've h horrible ratings, low numbers. People are angry about it. y have eugh politics with guys like me. re was a nastiness about NBA way (protesting) was done. NBA is in trouble, bigger trouble than y understand."

Donald Trump has been extremely vocal about his thoughts on athletes kneeling during national anm as a sign of protest. Earlier, Trump publicly said he would be boycotting NFL and MLS should players start kneeling during season. 74-year-old is seemingly doing same with NBA. "n I see everybody kneeling during anm. That's t acceptable to me. When I see m kneeling during game, I just turn off game. I have interest in game. Let me tell you this, plenty of or people out re, too."

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Last week, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James laughed off Donald Trump's criticism of NBA players stating league won't miss Donald Trump's viewership. LeBron James found Trump's one particular claim amusing where latter told FOX Sports that apart from possibly Abraham Lincoln, one h more to help Black community. 

"Are you trying to make me laugh right w?" LeBron James reacted to Trump's bold claims. 

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(Im Credits: AP, NBA Twitter Handle)