The last several months have seen some notable public barbs between LeBron James and President Donald Trump. Much of that has occurred with the 2020 election around the corner. With that in mind, the LA Lakers star has voiced why his focus has shifted away from Trump’s comments.

LeBron James’ public back-and-forth with Donald Trump

In the last few years, there have been some public barbs thrown in both directions.

The comments ramped up a notch during the NBA Orlando Bubble situation that continued the 2019-2020 season. Much of this came with Donald Trump bashing the league for allowing its players to kneel during the national anthem. Trump voiced that he wouldn’t watch the NBA anymore due to that being the case.

LeBron James responded by stating that the NBA community wasn’t sad about losing his viewership. Trump continued his bashing of the league regarding their declined ratings during the playoffs. James, along with many of his colleagues, stood firm with the NBA standing behind supporting their push to bring much-needed attention toward social injustice and Black Lives Matter.

With the 2020 election drawing closer, James has become more publicly involved with the process. He has utilized his “More than a Vote” initiative to spark getting people to vote. The entire situation has also led the star forward to clarify why he isn’t going to respond to Trump’s remarks.

LeBron James focused on 2020 election instead of Donald Trump

Over the last several years, LeBron James has become more publicly involved in his community and social issues. James has utilized his massive platform to bring greater attention to these matters, which has only increased over time.

The 35-year-old has now stepped up his approach behind his “More Than a Vote” initiative aimed at more than getting people to vote in this year’s election. It’s Black athletes and artists working together to emphasize “combating systemic, racist voter suppression by educating, energizing, and protecting our community in 2020.”

With that in mind, James has shifted his focus away from Donald Trump’s comments and instead toward helping create social change, according to Astead W. Herndon of The New York Times.

“I don’t go back and forth with anybody. And I damn sure won’t go back and forth with that guy. But we want better, we want change in our community. We always talk about, “We want change,” and now we have the opportunity to do that.”

The focus is on encouraging people to become more involved in their communities, including voting in this year’s election. There is much more at stake than just casting a vote as it could help create monumental change. All that alone has guided James away from anything that Trump has negatively voiced concerning him, any other athlete, team, or league.

Spotlight remains on upcoming election

More than anything else, it has become abundantly clear over the last several months the importance of voting in this year’s election.

LeBron James has been among the most outspoken about the situation, while the NBA has backed that push led by NBPA president Chris Paul and commissioner Adam Silver. The league has remained at the forefront toward driving the message home. It underlines the importance of participating in the monumental moment to help create change beyond voting for the next president.

All of those efforts are guided toward this moment where things could take a significant shift forward.