NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was dragged on social media for daring to be friendly with President Donald Trump.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star was given no mercy after a moment that went viral from the UFC 314 fight on Saturday night, where Trump arrived to a roaring welcome from the crowd.
Accompanied by his grandchildren, Elon Musk, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FBI Director Kash Patel, and UFC President Dana White, the president was seen in a video clip shaking hands with Shaq, leaning in to say something to the 7-foot tall former professional basketball player.
President Trump Shaq pic.twitter.com/cTnQzUJ41l
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) April 13, 2025
The left had a meltdown over Trump’s triumphal entry to the Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday for the mixed martial arts fight where Australian former champion Alexander Volkanovski beat Brazilian fighter Diego Lopes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as well as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, also attended the event.
Trump flanked by his grandchildren walks out to wild applause at #UFC314 in Miami pic.twitter.com/o7ehWePsEh
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) April 13, 2025
O’Neal committed the unpardonable sin in greeting Trump as social media users ripped into him.
Sellout
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) April 14, 2025
Shaq, Bye
— CyberJB23 (@CyberJB23) April 13, 2025
F shaq
— troutki (@troutki1) April 13, 2025
#Shaq #Trump pic.twitter.com/1LiF0wkAqp
— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) April 13, 2025
Plenty of others, however, came to Shaq’s defense.
Shaq making his way through the UFC 314 crowd to shake Trump’s hand—now that’s a power move. Respect!
— Tan (@realimtan) April 13, 2025
You love to see it
— McKenzie Girl (@therealmck3nzie) April 13, 2025
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Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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