Shaquille O'Neal’s embrace of Donald Trump seen as 'spit in the face' to marginalized people, Etan Thomas alleges

Modified Apr 13, 2025 14:17 GMT

NBA: Emirates NBA Cup-Red Carpet - Source: Imagn — Shaquille O'Neal’s embrace of Donald Trump seen as 'spit in the face' to marginalized people (Source: Imagn)

As a Hall of Fame talent and notable figure in the media, Shaquille O'Neal is one of the biggest ambassadors for the NBA today. Following one of his latest public encounters, one former player sounded off on the LA Lakers legend.

On Saturday night, Shaquille O'Neal was one of countless notable people at UFC 314 in Miami. While there, a clip went viral of the superstar center going out of his way to speak with President Donald Trump. The two shared a small conversation and a quick embrace before Shaq went his way.

Despite sharing such a brief moment with the president, Shaquille O'Neal is still facing some backlash for his interaction. Former NBA player Etan Thomas gave his thoughts on the situation with a post on Instagram. He was displeased with Shaq speaking with President Trump at the MMA event, as he feels it sends a bad message.

"With all due respect, when you publicly embraced Trump, you also publicly endorsed all of his ideologies," Thomas wrote. "It's a spit in the face to so many people who are being impacted by his plans."

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Since taking back office, Trump has instituted numerous major actions. Among the biggest have been his mass deportations and placing sizable tariffs on imported goods from foreign countries.

Before sharing his thoughts on the league and its players on social media, Thomas enjoyed a nine-year playing career. He was originally drafted by the Dallas Mavericks but had stints with the Washington Wizards, OKC Thunder and Atlanta Hawks. He is also a published author and well-known social activist.

About the author

Kevin McCormick is a basketball writer at Sportskeeda with over four years of experience in journalism and a bachelor's degree in Sports Management Marketing from Holy Family University.

Kevin has worked with various notable outlets throughout his career, including 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, Heavy Sports, and Sports Illustrated/FanNation, before joining Sportskeeda in March 2022.

Specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage, Kevin's passion for basketball stems from his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Among his favorite players are Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Steph Curry, while his all-time favorites include Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Kevin holds Coach K in high regard for the large input he's had on the game helping mold players across multiple generations. Kevin believes the iconic rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped elevate the league to its current status.

Through his writing, Kevin provides in-depth analysis and insights into player and coach quotes. He prioritizes sourcing information from credible and reliable outlets.

Kevin enjoys reading, aiming to finish at least one book per month, and he is a big fan of music.

Know More

NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks set sights on 6-foot-10 European center LeBron James was willing to take pay cut for

Edited by Kevin McCormick