Former President Donald Trump went out of his way during his speech in Wisconsin on Friday to joke about Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s roots as a Greek citizen with Nigerian parents.
“Who has the most Greek in them? The Greek or me?” Trump asked the audience, who reacted with applause.
Antetokounmpo, who rose to prominence in the NBA over the last decade as one of the sport’s greatest players of all time, earned the nickname Greek Freak on the court. However, he has discussed how his background complicated his early years, as he was made to feel that he did not really belong to either Nigerian or Greek culture, despite being born in Athens. Three of Antetokounmpo’s brothers have also been drafted to the NBA.
Commenting on the player’s race and immigrant history, Trump evoked his mockery of his opponent’s vice president Kamala Harris, having repeatedly challenged her multiracial background as the daughter of Black and Indian parents. It’s worth noting that Trump is not of Greek descent. His family is of German and Scottish heritage.
He stopped complaining about the microphone he was given to use on stage to acknowledge that the venue, Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, is the home of the Bucks.
“Your team is very good,” Trump began. “I would say that the Greek is a very good player, do you agree? And tell me, who has more Greek in them? The Greek or me? I think we have more or less the same thing, right?” The same, that is, none.
Trump praised Antetokounmpo as perhaps the best player in the NBA.
“He’s supposed to be a really good guy, too,” Trump added before pivoting again: “With your help, we’re going to defeat Kamala Harris.”
(Taken from Huffpost)
