On Thursday a chagrined Trump withdrew his invitation to Steph Curry about a visit to the White House due to Curry’s “hesitation” and immediately the internet exploded.
After calling Trump a “bum” he proceeded to explain that an invitation to the White House used to be an honor until he started his term.
Considering Lebron James was not highly political before, the tweet grew in popularity, garnering more than 600,000 retweets. Twitter responded with delight, using the phrase “bum” in a number of ways, while others revamped the argument that celebrities and politics were not meant to go together.
While calling the president a “bum” was considerably funny, Lebron’s statement represented much more than just humor.
Donald Trump is in fact, a bum.
Dictionary.com defines a bum as: 1. A person who avoids work and sponges off on others; 2. A tramp, hobo, or derelict.
Trump sponges off the darkest, most ridiculous, insidious thoughts conservative America has in the wake of President Obama’s terms. He plays the devil’s advocate for upstanding citizens who felt oppressed and disenfranchised the past eight years. He is supported by the voice some Americans never thought they would receive; the voice that is allowed to bash minorities, women, and those different from themselves. He thrives from privilege that some Americans feel has been taken away from them, although it can never go away.
Through his petty name-calling, explosive Twitter tantrums, and trigger-happy war stance, he has come to represent what some Americans could never express in their everyday life. Through his disdain for anyone who does not fit into his social and economic category, Trump has given a microphone to those who have always shared a hate for certain people but could not completely voice this hate because it was socially unacceptable.
Trump has made it acceptable.
Trump is a bum because he avoids the work of caring for the nation he received. Instead of being a steward to America’s social and political problems, he has worsened them. Late in his response to national and international crises such as Hurricane Harvey, earthquakes in Mexico, and devastation to Puerto Rico, Trump skimps on his duty as the president of a world power.
He does not directly condemn domestic terrorists such as those in Charlottesville, due to their right to free speech, but is quick to announce those participating in the NFL protest as “sons of bitches”. He does not protect the right for every American citizen to feel safe and wanted in their own country, therefore avoiding the President’s duty.
Speaking on the second definition given by Dictionary.com, Trump is a bum because he lives in a dump. In August, several sources confirmed that Trump called the White House a "dump", and while he claims it isn’t true, it doesn’t sound entirely out of character does it? One of the most recognizable, honorable monuments in American history, is a dump according to its resident. If Trump believes that a huge part of American history is not worthy of him, what do you think he thinks about America? Furthermore, if Trump believes his home is a dump, why does he think anyone would ever want to visit it?
Trump is a bum ultimately because he soiled the presidential office. Regardless of political affiliation, every president before him presented poise and grace while in scandal or under fire. Every president before him held a certain honor about the position, performing with carefulness and ability. Trump holds the rashness and inadequacy of a child. He throws tantrums and picks fights like America is his elementary school playground. He holds onto pride when neutrality and kindness is needed.
So yes, Donald Trump, Lebron James was right. You are a bum. Hopefully the rest of America will soon see it.