Speaking at a rally in Milwaukee as the US election campaign draws to a close, former president Donald Trump cast doubt over the national identity of Greek NBA basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The odd and racially charged comment came during a typically long speech where Trump used his trademark rambling conversational delivery and spattering attempts at humour.
Addressing his supporters on Friday at the Fiserv Forum, home to the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo’s team, Trump was keen to acknowledge the Greek superstar, who turned around the Bucks fortunes after the team’s decades in the wilderness.
Trump, who previously referred to Antetokounmpo as just ‘the Greek’ again made no attempt to pronounce his name.
“Your team is very good. I would say the Greek is a seriously good player. And tell me, who has more Greek in him, the Greek or me? I think we have about the same,” Trump said.
Supporters, who had been cheering throughout Trumps speech did not appear to react at this point.
Trump quickly went on to say, “He’s a great player, maybe the best player in the NBA actually. He’s supposed to be a very good guy too,” Trump concluded.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was born in Athens to migrant Nigerian parents. He is a dual national of Greece and Nigeria and proudly represents Greece in the national team, never missing a game, despite his lucrative NBA commitments.
