UFC 314 wasn’t just another fight night—it was where stars collided. Among the most talked-about moments was a candid interaction between NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and U.S. President Donald Trump. Cameras caught the four-time NBA champion greeting the President with a warm hug, sending social media into a frenzy.
While the embrace seemed innocent and respectful to many, not everyone saw it that way. Former NBA player Etan Thomas voiced his strong disapproval of the moment, interpreting the gesture as more than just a friendly greeting.
“With all due respect, when you publicly embraced Trump, you also publicly endorsed all of his ideologies,” Thomas wrote on Saturday. “It’s a spit in the face to so many people who are being impacted by his plans.”
Thomas acknowledged O’Neal’s positive influence on Inside the NBA but urged the Hall of Famer to consider the broader impact of publicly aligning—even unintentionally—with a figure as divisive as Trump. His sentiment was echoed across social media, with some fans labeling Shaq a “sellout” and accusing him of softening Trump’s controversial image.
Shaquille O’Neal’s harsh tirade against Donald Trump over Super Bowl performance
In 2023, Shaquille O’Neal issued a stern rebuttal to U.S. President Donald Trump after his comments on Rihanna’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LVII.
Trump criticized Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII halftime performance on Truth Social, calling it the “single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history.” He further claimed that Rihanna had “insulted more than half the nation.”
Shaq wasn’t having any of it. On his podcast The Big Podcast with Shaq, he fired back at the President’s comments: “She did a wonderful job. She’s pregnant. She blessed it. She didn’t fall. Just leave it there. All you superstars that’s disrespecting and causing beef — shut your face, shut it up.”
Given that history, many were surprised by the apparent warmth between the two at UFC 314. It might have simply been a moment of respect toward the office of the President. But with their recent interaction, some speculate that Shaq and Trump may have put past tensions behind them and found common ground.
Whether it was a political statement or just a respectful gesture, the hug has stirred a conversation that reaches far beyond the Octagon.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
