On September 10, 2026, President Trump addressed the Republican National Committee midterm convention with a speech that included topics such as oil, Iran, and immigration. He also commented on a major NBA trade that involved star guard Luka Dončić moving from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers last year.
Speaking at the American Airlines Center, home to the Dallas Mavericks, Trump expressed his confusion regarding the trade: “I must tell you, I don’t understand the trade. That trade is not good.” He further remarked, “It’s not going to go down as the greatest trade in the history of sports. It might go down as the worst trade in the history of sports,” but he acknowledged that the trade of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees still held the title for worst trade. Trump mused about redoing the trade, stating, “I redo deals all the time… But that one, I didn’t quite get.” He then shifted focus back to U.S. oil production and issues with Iran.
The controversial midseason trade last year saw the Mavericks trade Dončić and two other players to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round draft pick. This decision met with criticism from Dallas fans, unhappy about losing the now-27-year-old star of the franchise.
In a January 26, 2026, NBA game in Chicago, Lakers guard Luka Dončić played against Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith, symbolizing his new role with the Lakers.
The Mavericks are largely owned by the family of Miriam Adelson, who is a major GOP donor and has close ties with Trump. It is notable that Trump has not shied away from commenting on sports controversies before. For example, he criticized the NFL’s new rules for kickoffs and, via a Truth Social post last year, expressed his frustration over quarterback Shedeur Sanders being overlooked in the early NFL draft rounds. Trump asked pointedly, “What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID?” Sanders, son of former NFL player Deion Sanders, was later picked by the Cleveland Browns.
Trump also had a say in the soccer world over the summer, urging FIFA to review a suspension given to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. FIFA eventually lifted the suspension, with Trump clarifying that he did not influence their decision.
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