Charles Barkley’s CNN show may have been short-lived, but that hasn’t stopped the beloved NBA analyst from sharing his political opinions. As Inside the NBA aired on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, coinciding with Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Barkley took the opportunity to critique the current political divide in America.
“I think both parties suck. But I think they do a really good job of making us not like each other…I wish people would understand that politicians do a good job of making us fight with each other.” – Charles Barkley pic.twitter.com/Z6Q9z16cv1
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 23, 2025
“I wish that people were smarter, personally,” Barkley said. “Both parties suck, and they expertly foster divisions among us. Racism is unfortunately a persistent issue, but the real struggle is between the rich and the poor. Politicians are adept at making us fight over superficial differences, when the underlying issue is economic disparity. Addressing that is crucial for our success.”
Barkley articulated frustration with how politicians and media portray political divisions, arguing that while they claim to seek unity, their actions often sow discord. Despite having supported Kamala Harris in the past, he wished Trump “good luck” during the inauguration, emphasizing that everyone in America should prosper regardless of their political affiliations.
“These politicians have messed up our world, forcing you to pick sides,” he continued. “That’s unfortunate because I’m not for any particular team; I’m for everyone’s team.”
