The boycott of several basketball games, in reaction to the Jacob Blake affair, did not please him. US President Donald Trump on Thursday accused the NBA of having become "a political organization".
“I don't know much about the protests within the NBA, he complained. I know their ratings are very bad because I think people are fed up with the NBA ”. And to add: “They have become a bit like a political organization and that is not a good thing. "
Asked for his thoughts on NBA players going on strike following yet another police shooting of a black man, Trump says, "I don't know much about the NBA protest. I know their ratings have been very bad." pic.twitter.com/p0OYa1dFrO
- Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 27, 2020Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old black American father, was shot in the back on Sunday in Kenosha by a white police officer. According to his lawyer, he will remain paralyzed.
The perpetrator, Constable Rusten Sheskey, was fired, but has not been arrested or charged. Federal justice, however, announced Wednesday the opening of an investigation parallel to that conducted by the local justice.
Resumption scheduled for Friday
The drama caused a shock wave and an unprecedented mobilization of American athletes, triggered by the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. His players boycotted a game and forced the NBA to postpone several other games on Wednesday and Thursday. According to US media, however, the players decided to resume competition on Friday.
VIDEO. NBA players react to suspicion of police blunder against Jacob Blake
Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, refused a time to play in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati tournament, whose organizers postponed all games scheduled for Thursday by one day. Football and baseball games have also been postponed. No comment from Donald Trump for the moment.
