Fact Check: Did LeBron James mention John Wilkes Booth while reacting to Donald Trump shooting? Debunking viral tweet

A viral tweet claimed that LeBron James had a feeling that something bad would happen to Donald Trump because he was reading about John Wilkes Booth. The former POTUS survived an alleged assassination attempt at his rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania on Saturday evening. But did the LA Lakers superstar really predict it?

No, James didn't say anything about Trump getting shot or reading John Wilkes Booth. The claim was made by an NBA satire account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

NBA Centel is known for making things up for the sake of engagement. James and Trump have talked trash at each other over the years on social media. The page also just used the popular meme wherein LeBron was caught lying about predicting Kobe Bryant's 81-point game in 2006.

Here's what the page posted, citing another parody account called Chris B. Hayne:

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What happened to Donald Trump?

Donald Trump was at a rally at the Butler Farm Show Grounds in Connoquenessing Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. It's part of his campaign as he's trying to regain the presidency.

At around 6 p.m., multiple gunshots were heard six minutes into Trump's speech. The former POTUS was hit in the upper part of his ear, while three other bystanders were shot.

One spectator passed away, while two are reportedly in critical condition, as per the New York Times. The suspect was allegedly shot by Secret Service snipers and was found dead on a rooftop just a couple hundred feet away from Trump's podium.

According to the Associated Press, the FBI, DOJ, Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the incident, which could be an assassination attempt. Trump is the first current or former U.S. president to be shot since Ronald Reagan in 1981.

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Donald Trump once claimed he doesn't like LeBron James

In a keynote address in Washington, D.C. in July 2022, Donald Trump brought up LeBron James during his speech. Trump admitted that he's not a fan of the LA Lakers superstar and prefers Michael Jordan on the court.

"I don't like LeBron James. I like Michael Jordan much better. But I'd go up to LeBron James and say, 'LeBron, did you ever have any desire to be a woman? Because what I'd love you to do is star on my team," Trump said.

Trump also took a shot at "The King" by saying that he would love him to play for his women's team, in a different speech two weeks earlier in Florida.

"I'm not a fan of LeBron James at all. I don't like him. But I'd say, 'LeBron, did you ever think of becoming a woman? Did you ever because I'd like to have you on my team.' I'd love to have you on our team LeBron," Trump said.