NBA superstar LeBron James has sparked outrage with his latest move: publishing an essay in the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Daily. The piece amounts to blatant pro-China propaganda, with the Lakers forward praising “China’s basketball scene” and pledging to “contribute to the development of Chinese basketball.”
James gushed that he was “deeply moved by the hospitality and friendliness of our Chinese friends” during his 15 trips to China. He added, “I also feel a deep sense of responsibility to promote sports exchange,” presenting himself as a bridge between East and West. But critics see his words as little more than cover for pushing sneakers in the world’s largest market.
For Beijing, the essay is a propaganda victory. People’s Daily has long served as a mouthpiece for the CCP, publishing lines such as the “‘Xinjiang genocide’ claim biggest lie of the century,” while running pieces that excuse Russia’s war in Ukraine and spread disinformation about COVID-19.
This isn’t the first time James has sided with Beijing over freedom. When Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey voiced support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters, James blasted him as “misinformed” and claimed Morey “wasn’t educated.” He even argued, “So many people could have been harmed, not only financially but physically, emotionally, spiritually.”
The reality is clear: LeBron’s billion-dollar Nike deal speaks louder than his activism. And as one CCP-controlled paper benefits from his words, Americans are left asking who he really plays for.
