The day after US President Donald Trump launched a late-night stinging Twitter attack on NBA superstar LeBron James, First Lady Melania Trump said she would be open to visiting James's I Promise public school for at risk-students in Akron, Ohio.
"It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation and just as she always has, the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today," Melania said in a statement released by her spokeswoman.
READ MORE: Trump Attacked on Twitter Following Tweet Implying That LeBron James is Stupid
On Saturday, retired NBA superstar Michael Jordan, who was mentioned in the Trump-James online fray, spoke out in support of LeBron. "I support L.J. He's doing an amazing job for his community," Jordan told NBC News through his spokeswoman.
This comes shortly after Trump took a personal jab at LeBron, who was interviewed by CNN's Don Lemon. Trump said that Lemon, "the dumbest man on television," made the basketball star "look smart, which isn't easy to do." "I like Mike!" the President added in an apparent reference to Michael Jordan.
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 4 августа 2018 г.
In his interview with Lemon, James scolded Trump for being "divisive" and slammed his "lack of understanding about how kids look up to the president."
The online feud started a furor on social media, with some users voicing doubts about the First Lady's sincerity and claiming she has no right to speak out.
Don't let Melania Trump's praise of #KingJames distract you from the fact that her husband is ruining our country. I could give a damn about their problems, the house is on fire, y'all.
— 📷 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔭𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔦 𝔑𝔦𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔢 🐾🏳️🌈 (@synaestatic) 5 августа 2018 г.
I’m sorry but hard to believe this coming from a First Lady who wore a “I don’t really care” jacket on a visit to children who were taken away from their parents by “her” husband! Hope LeBron invites Michelle Obama instead! A real caring, and loving Flotus!
— Henny Verkyk (@VerkykHenny) 4 августа 2018 г.
Melania is playing a game. Bad cop good cop game.
— Concepción González (@conchi_gonzalez) 5 августа 2018 г.
If Melania visited she'll wear another "I don't really care Do you" jacket U can't believe anything coming from a Trump
— Smiley (@DarkLadyNebula) 5 августа 2018 г.
I don’t believe @FLOTUS & @POTUS disagree about @KingJames
— PDXShinn (@PDXShinn) 5 августа 2018 г.
I think it’s intentional dog-whistling to a base of supporters while cynically appealing to reasonable @GOP voters who want to believe they aren’t supporting a racist. @IvankaTrump no longer an effective foil.
@FLOTUS happens to be an illegal immigrant who shouldn't even talk
— Errol Thomas (@shaolinwarrior) 5 августа 2018 г.
Others, however, praised her backing of LeBron, calling it "truly beautiful."
Melania Trump just issued a statement supporting LeBron James? Uh oh, she’s watching CNN and defending black guys… But what’s funny is, they both were basically in separate bedrooms thinking about LeBron James… 😏
— Cyrus McQueen (@CyrusMMcQueen) 4 августа 2018 г.
I absolutely love how Melania goes against Trump. It’s truly beautiful
— jensyn (@resostitlereign) 5 августа 2018 г.
Even Melania Trump not on her husband’s side after he called LeBron dumb lmfao
— WMI (@premes0le) 5 августа 2018 г.
