Barack Obama calls out Donald Trump’s skepticism of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greek identity: "An NBA superstar can be both Greek and Black"
Barack Obama used Donald Trump's comments on Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to send a clear message to the Black and Latino communities on Sunday. He warned them about voting for a person who has a history of disregarding them and can't even fathom that a Greek person can be black.
During a Kamala Harris rally in Milwaukee, the former U.S. President told the crowd that the answer to their problems wasn't Trump.
"Why would you think the answer is to vote for someone who has a long history of demeaning and disregarding your communities, whose family business was sued for not renting to folks that look like you?
He then went on to reference many other comments Trump has made about ethnic minorities. That includes one where Trump seemed skeptical about Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greek identity.
"Who cannot apparently understand how an NBA superstar can be both Greek and Black? Who suggests any Mexican crossing the border is a criminal and a rapist. Who spreads ridiculous fantasies that Haitians are eating people’s pets?
"Who just this past week arranged for one of his supporters to tell jokes about Black people eating watermelon and Puerto Rico being an island of garbage right there on stage at Madison Square Garden? Do you think that is someone who will look out for you?" Obama asked the crowd.
The 2024 Presidential Election is less than 48 hours away and both candidates are doing everything in their power to convince voters to support them, especially those undecided.
Several NBA stars have shown their support for Kamala Harris, including LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
What did Donald Trump say about Giannis Antetokounmpo?
On Friday, while talking to supporters at Fiserv Forum, where the Milwaukee Bucks play their home games, Donald Trump questioned Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greek heritage. He asked the crowd who had more Greek between himself and Antetokounmpo in a comment with a questionable undertone.
“Your team is very good. I would say the Greek is a seriously good player. And tell me, who has more Greek in him, the Greek or me? I think we have about the same. He’s a great player, maybe the best player in the NBA actually. He’s supposed to be a very good guy too,” Trump said. (4:15 mark)
The former President didn't even address Antetokounmpo by his name and simply brought up his nationality in the conversation.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was born and raised in Athens, Greece to Nigerian immigrant parents.