Charles Barkley has made it clear where he stands politically over the years.
The longtime NBA great grew up as a Republican. However, the longtime NBA star turned sports media personality admitted in 2024 that he was getting sick of both sides. He's become a registered Independent voter.
“I wish him nothing but the best, but we lost,” Barkley said. “And I just want to say this to the Democrats, I’m an Independent who voted Democratic. Do me this favor, shut the (expletive) up! When you win you get to say what you want to, when you lose you need to shut the (expletive) up.”
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Barkley has called out U.S Democrats in the past for how they have treated minority communities.
“They come into our neighborhoods and say ‘we’re going to make stuff better. We’re going to do this, do this, do this,’” Barkley said.
“And then finally, us Black people are like ‘yo man, other than my ability to dunk a basketball, all my neighborhoods is still the same. Our schools are still the same.’ And that’s why Black people are being disappointed in the Democratic Party.”
Barkley made telling political donation this year
According to Fox News, Barkley is among those who have donated to the campaign of former NFL kicker Jay Feely.
Feely is running for U.S. Congress as a Republican candidate in the Arizona's 1st Congressional District. He's been endorsed by President Donald J. Trump.
And both Barkley and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell have donated to his campaign.
"NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA great Charles Barkley, who spent four years of his Hall of Fame basketball career with the Phoenix Suns, have both donated to Feely’s campaign, according to public data from the Federal Election Commission," Fox News reported.
"Records show Goodell made two donations, one designated for the primary and the other for the general election. Each contribution totaled $3,500. Individual donors are allowed to give up to $7,000 to a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate per election."
Barkley doesn't often speak out politically, but he's made it pretty clear where he stands with this donation.
