On Friday, Laura Govan, the ex-wife of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and mother of high school basketball standout Alijah Arenas, reacted to former President Donald Trump’s announcement about public schools in an appearance on "Fox & Friends."
Govan criticized Trump’s vow to shut down the U.S. Department of Education and defund public schools in "liberal cities" that do not align with his ideals. On Instagram, she wrote that Trump plans to defund schools that refuse to follow his directives as president.
Trump was asked what he would do if schools did not adhere to what he and other Republicans want to be taught, and the former president answered that he plans to stop funding these schools.
"Then we don't send them money. We would save half of our budget," Trump said.
Govan has been a critic of the former president for quite some time. In a 2017 episode of The Domenick Nati Show, she said:
"I really do think he’s [Donald Trump] a great businessman. I think he’s figured out the system," she said. "He knows how to maneuver, be janky, a hustler, sometimes I’m like, ’That’s a black man! He just acts like a r*t*rd.’ I think he’s brought back the power of racism."
Govan and Gilbert Arenas divorced in 2011 when Alijah Arenas and his three siblings were young.
Alijah Arenas already beating his father, says mom Laura Govan
Alijah Arenas is about to begin his junior year at Chatsworth High School in California. He is rated as a five-star recruit and the No. 3 player from the Class of 2026. In June, Govan said her son could beat Gilbert Arenas 1-on-1.
TMZ asked Govan if Alihaj could beat his father one-on-one, and his mother quickly replied, "Hell yeah."
Several schools are already competing for his commitment, with UCLA, Fresno State, California, and Nevada emerging as early favorites. On3 predicts a 7.9% chance of Alijah Arenas committing to UCLA, with Fresno State close behind at 6.9%.