NBA icon Charles Barkley didn’t hold back as he criticized championship teams declining an invitation to President Donald Trump’s White House.
Speaking candidly on “The Steam Room,” Barkley addressed earlier reports that the Philadelphia Eagles intended to skip their White House visit after clinching Super Bowl LIX—reports that were later debunked.
Trump extended an invite, and the Eagles affirmed they would attend.
Barkley supported the Eagles’ decision to accept, saying, “Even though I disagree with President Trump on some things, if I met him, I would still give him the respect and dignity he deserves.”
He went on, airing his frustrations over the growing trend of teams snubbing White House visits.
“When did we reach a point as a country when we were like, ‘We’re not going to the White House because we don’t like who is in there?’ That’s just stupid, in my opinion.”
The former basketball star admitted he’s felt this way for years. “It’s bothered me for the last 10 years when athletes are like, ‘Well, I’m not going because this certain person is President.’ I said, ‘Yo man, I don’t care who the President is, he’s the President of the United States.'”
Barkley’s comments came after he previously sparked outrage for his harsh reaction to black individuals wearing Trump’s mug shot on T-shirts.
Trump, in turn, claimed the image of his arrest photo resonated with black Americans because “I’m being discriminated against,” a statement he made at an event hosted by the Black Conservative Federation.
Reacting to this in a March 2024 interview with Gayle King, Barkley quipped, “If I see a Black person walking around with a Trump mug shot, I’m gonna punch him in the face. Oh, I mean that sincerely.”
He criticized Trump further, labeling his remarks as offensive to the black community.
“To insult black people who have been discriminated against all these years, to put them in the same category, I was just offended.”
Barkley acknowledged Trump’s success, stating, “He’s a billionaire. He’s had a great life. He’s been President of the United States,” but noted his disgust at the comparison Trump made.
Meanwhile, international tensions spiked as Trump launched a trade war targeting America’s largest trading allies—Mexico, Canada, and China.
These are the MOST STACKED Elimination Chambers that the WWE has EVER had..
THEY BOOED OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM TO START THIS ENTIRE THING..
BUT IT’S GONNA BE A HISTORIC NIGHT #WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/jy8cAYHftd
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 2, 2025
Just past midnight, hefty tariffs of 25% were imposed on Mexican and Canadian imports, with a slightly reduced rate of 10% set on Canadian energy exports. Simultaneously, tariffs on Chinese products doubled to 20%.
Canadians retaliated in uniquely public fashion, booing the U.S. national anthem at sporting events—including a WWE Elimination Chamber match in Toronto.
ESPN host and former NFL punter Pat McAfee sparked his own controversy while covering the WWE event by labeling Canada “a terrible country,” following loud jeers during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“These are the most stacked Elimination Chambers that the WWE has ever had,” he commented during the broadcast.
“Kinda sucks that it’s in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing!”
I’m very proud and thankful that I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States of America..
Canadians have a lot of passion for their country and I understand it..
You booed our country and I said you’re terrible..
Let’s shake hands and move along 🤝 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/pG4mvl9jVi
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 3, 2025
McAfee faced heavy backlash on “The Pat McAfee Show” but stuck to his guns.
“Now, Canada, listen, there’s been some things said to me from Canadians that I guess I respect because of the passion that you have for your country—which I hope you understand that I was showing the same for mine,” he said, doubling down on his critique. “You booed our country.”
“I understand, now, from the Canadians that they have a lot more passion for their country than I could have imagined. A lot of terrible things have been said about me, and I understand it,” McAfee went on.
He further elaborated on air, saying, “I didn’t say Canadians were terrible. I said your country was. You booed us. I said you were terrible. Let’s shake hands and move along.”
McAfee took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the uproar. “I’m very proud and thankful that I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America,” he stated.
“Canadians have a lot of passion for their country, and I understand it… You booed our country, and I said you’re terrible,” he wrote, showing no remorse for his remarks.