A social media entry dunked on conservative outrage over the Paris Olympics opening ceremony ― and the joke featured Team USA star LeBron James.
LeBron James scored 21 points in his Olympics return during a Team USA win over Serbia. Gregory Shamus via Getty Images
Cries of blasphemy from the likes of Harrison Butker, Donald Trump Jr. and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) targeted a segment interpreted by some as drag queens mocking Christianity in a parody of “The Last Supper.”
The artistic director has since said the scene was a nod to Dionysus, the Greek god of decadence and celebration. But the right-wing backlash has lingered.
Enter James, the still-high-flying basketball great who scored 21 points to lead Team USA to victory over Serbia on Sunday in his first Olympics game in 12 years.
Sometimes he’s called The King, which only gives this viral satire even more, uh, lift:
WOW NOW THE OLYMPICS MOCK THE ASCENSION? WHEN WILL THIS PERSECUTION END?? pic.twitter.com/qlg55zZTGw
— JRR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) July 28, 2024
Many people responded with jokes of their own:
DID YOU SEE ALL THOSE WOMEN IN WATER POLO MOCKING BAPTISM
— Lisbeth Ash (@LisbethMA) July 28, 2024
Tonight Bill Simmons answers the question “Could Jesus dominate in the paint?”
— A CAB driver (@ANice_driver) July 29, 2024
if God had meant for basketball to be played in the air he would have given us wings
— JRR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) July 29, 2024
Lebron was actually giving an homage to the Wright brothers and flight. Silly Christians think everything is about them! 🤪
— John Macias (@unknownstaffer) July 28, 2024
Clearly this athlete heard that he was supposed to be like Jesus and took that teaching more seriously than the rest of us
— Hannah 💜🤍🖤 (@HahaHannahG) July 28, 2024
