Popovich has been highly critical of President Trump (Getty)
San Antonio Spurs and USA Basketball head coach Gregg Popovich (who’s also an Air Force Academy graduate) is one of the most respected figures in sports, not only because of his accomplishments (five NBA championships and making the Spurs a perennial title contender) on the court but also for his willingness to speak his mind on a number of topics outside of athletics. Popovich didn’t mince words during last year’s presidential election cycle, with his most scathing critiques being directed towards President Donald Trump.
One day after Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States, Popovich offered up more criticism of the new Commander in Chief before the Spurs’ road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Among Popovich’s statements, which included praise for the women’s marches held across the world in protest of Trump, was his feeling that President Trump needed to develop “thicker skin” when it comes to dealing with criticism.
Gregg Popovich, unplugged, on President Donald J. Trump:
Popovich also criticized Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway and White House Press Secretary and Communications Director Sean Spicer for “helping Donald Trump spread information” that (according to Popovich) they know is false. Spicer came under fire Saturday afternoon for his characterization of media reports on the size of the crowd that watched President Trump’s inauguration on Friday.
On Saturday, President Trump gave a speech to some 400 CIA employees, complaining about “dishonest media” for the way in which his inauguration was covered.
Interestingly enough, President Trump praised the Spurs organization on multiple occasions while on the campaign trail last year. The first instance occurred in June during a fundraising stop in San Antonio, with the president once again praising the Spurs at a private in San Antonio four months later.