‘He ain’t tough’: NBA legend Charles Barkley trolled after threatening to ‘punch’ Black people walking around with Trump’s mugshot

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: NBA legend Charles Barkley has delivered a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump's controversial remarks regarding his infamous police mugshot. Trump's assertion that Black voters in America have embraced his mugshot drew condemnation from Barkley.

The incident unfolded on the eve of last week's South Carolina primary, where Trump, buoyed by his recent arrest for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, claimed that his mugshot had garnered significant support within the Black community.

Trump's controversial claims and Barkley's retaliation

Speaking at the Black Conservative Federation's annual Honors Gala, Trump touted his mugshot as a symbol of admiration among Black voters, drawing applause from the audience.

"When I did the mug shot in Atlanta, that mug shot is No. 1," he said. "You know who embraced it more than anyone else? The Black population. It's incredible. Black people walking around with my mugshots!"

However, Barkley wasted no time in denouncing Trump's remarks, labeling them as insulting and offensive to the Black community.

During a segment on his CNN show 'King Charles' with broadcaster Gayle King, Barkley expressed disdain, stating, "First of all, I'm just gonna say this: if I see a Black person walking around with Trump's mugshot, I'm [gonna] punch him in the face."

Despite King's caution about the legal ramifications of such actions, Barkley remained steadfast in his stance, joking that he would "bail myself out and go celebrate".

Barkley further emphasized the disparity between Trump's privileged background and the historical discrimination faced by Black Americans.

"If I was at that conference I would have got up and walked out. That was an insult to all Black people. To compare Black history, when we've been discriminated against, to his plight—first of all, he's a billionaire, and they're prosecuting him for stuff he did wrong. … Well, some of the stuff is true. They did storm the Capitol, they did say that the election was stolen. Those aren't lies, Gayle.”

"But to compare it, I would have got up and walked out because it's not a fair comparison," he added.

"He's a billionaire, he's had a great life. He's been President of the United States. To insult Black people who have been discriminated against all these years, to put them in the same category... I was just offended."

Meanwhile, Trump's legal battles continue to unfold as he rejoices over his recent clearance to run for President again, following the Supreme Court's ruling barring states from excluding him from ballots.

Trump's jubilation was palpable as he praised the court's swift action and hinted at seeking presidential immunity from prosecution in an upcoming case.

"I have great respect for the Supreme Court. And I want to just thank them for working so quickly and so diligently and so brilliantly," he said in Florida.

"And while we're on the subject - and another thing that will be coming up very soon will be immunity for a president," Trump added.

The Supreme Court's upcoming hearing on Trump's appeal for immunity in a criminal case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith looms large, with implications for the 2024 presidential election.

Despite the court's decision to delay arguments until April, the outcome could significantly impact Trump's political future, the Daily Mail reported.

Internet slams Barkley's remarks

However, Barkley's remarks about punching Black people donning Trump mugshot apparel have triggered a backlash on social media. 

"Charles is scared to walk around SF. He ain’t tough," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Who cares what he thinks," another wrote.

"People like Charles walk around forgetting where they came from," a comment read.

"He is threatening to assault people based on their political beliefs, we call that terrorism!" someone else offered.

"Such a deep intellectual response speaks for itself," another quipped.

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