Former United States President Barack Obama took a strong stand against Donald Trump’s recent controversial remarks about NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, accusing Trump of not understanding the concept of being both Black and Greek.
Speaking at a rally at the Fiserv Forum last week, Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, casually questioned Antetokounmpo’s Greek heritage, suggesting a comparison with himself.
“And tell me who has more Greek in him? The Greek or me?” Trump asked the crowd. “I think we have about the same, right? He is some.”
At the time of Trump’s comments, Antetokounmpo was competing in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. After the match, he was asked about Trump’s remarks and appeared to dismiss them.
“I’m not aware of the comments… At the end of the day, I don’t follow politics that much. And the little that I follow, I try to keep my political views to myself and my family,” Antetokounmpo said.
“I’m here to, you know, win basketball games and not answer to non-basketball questions. But, I wish both candidates best of luck.”
Obama has also weighed in on the controversy, sharply criticising Trump’s history of racial insensitivity.
“If you’re Black or Latino, you know what it’s like to feel overlooked by politicians – except when it’s election season,” Obama stated.
“Trump clearly doesn’t understand that an NBA superstar can be both Black and Greek.”
Obama went on to denounce Trump’s pattern of derogatory statements, including offensive stereotypes about immigrants and Latin Americans.
Source: Protothema.gr
