TDid you ever imagine LeBron would end up cheering for the very powers he once condemned? Once hailed as a vocal critic of political overreach, his comments once provoked Trump allies to demand he “shut up and dribble.” Over the years his fire cooled; after championing social justice, Hong Kong protesters even torched his jersey, accusing him of silence. Throughout Trump’s second term he largely stayed mute, aside from a recent, puzzling stint promoting a prediction market—clothes intact, but message muddled. Today he’s openly rubbing shoulders with, and boosting, an authoritarian ruler.
On Sunday, Angola’s president João Lourenço rolled out the red carpet for two of America’s biggest stars—LeBron James and Will Smith—inside his presidential palace. For my money, their presence marks a troubling trade of principle for profit.
The duo flew to Angola to take part in a round of the E1 World Championship, the electric‑boat series that pairs celebrity owners with high‑speed racers. Both have invested in teams, turning the sport into a flashy showcase.