At his rally on Friday at Fiserv Forum, Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Greek ancestry, just months after Antetokounmpo became the first Black person to lead the opening of the Olympic Games and the first Black person to carry the Greek flag. Trump questioned the audience: “And tell me who has more Greek in him? The Greek or me?” “I think we have about the same, right? He is some.”
“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: Your team is very good. I would say the Greek is a seriously good player, do you agree? And tell me, who has more Greek in him? The Greek or me? I think we have about the same right? pic.twitter.com/axhaziqNta
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 2, 2024
Antetokounmpo is of Nigerian ancestry and was born in Athens, Greece. Regarding the remarks made after the Milwaukee Bucks‘ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum on Saturday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo stated: “I’m not aware of the comments,” “At the end of the day, I don’t follow politics that much. And the little that I follow, I try to keep my political views to myself and my family. I’m here to, you know, win basketball games and not answer to non-basketball questions. But, I wish both candidates best of luck.”
Before Giannis was selected by the Bucks in 2013, he and his older brother Thanasis were granted Greek citizenship. The two have since competed for the Greek national team.