Basketball fans are teeing off on Hall of Famer Charles Barkley over comments he made about President Donald Trump and the White House.

There have been debates about whether championship-winning teams should visit Donald Trump at the White House dating back to his first term as president.

The 2017 NBA champion Golden State Warriors and Super Bowl 52 champion Philadelphia Eagles had their invitations rescinded by Trump after several players publicly stated that they wouldn’t visit him.

During the latest episode of “The Steam Room” podcast that he co-hosts with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley stated that all athletes should accept an invitation to the White House, no matter who’s in office:

“I don’t care who the president is. He’s the President of the United States. It’s bothered me, the last 10 years, they’re like, ‘Well, I’m not going because this certain person is president.’ Dude, it’s the President of the United States.

“Even though I disagree with President Trump on some things, if I met him, I would still give him the respect and dignity he deserves. We can disagree, but it bothers me when these teams don’t want to go to the White House. I’m just disappointed…we got so divided. Where did we get to as a country when we’re like, ‘We’re not going to the White House, we don’t like who’s in there.’ That’s just stupid.”

Charles Barkley wasn’t taking a specific political side here whatsoever, but his comments nonetheless received immense backlash from fans on social media.

“What respect and dignity does he deserve?” a fan asked.

“Didn’t Trump skip Biden’s inauguration? Does Trump treat everyone with dignity and respect?” asked another.

“@_CharlesBarkley , you’re asking players to show respect to the President who didn’t attend the inauguration of his successor? Which is more disrespectful?” another quipped.

“F*ck No! I would not show respect and dignity to someone who shows no one respect and dignity. We don’t honor a dishonorable President. We honor the Constitution. We dissent,” wrote a user.

“Maybe that’s why Barkley never won a championship himself. Obviously, he doesn’t put much stock in earning respect through hard work and integrity, two areas where Trump is sorely lacking. People who excuse Trump’s criminality reveal more about themselves than about Trump,” said a user.

“Charles Barkley needs to stay out of it; he’s got enough heat on him as it is, and yes, he clearly doesn’t understand the depth of what’s going on,” another said.

Barkley’s comments are similar to ones made by golf icon Tiger Woods back in 2018. Asked about his relationship with Trump, Woods cited the importance of everyone respecting the presidential office, regardless of the occupier.

There have been cases like the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox, 2018 Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals and Super Bowl 53 champion New England Patriots, where some players skipped the invitations because of their views on Trump’s presidency.

But if Charles Barkley had his way, athletes would put political differences aside and visit the White House, no matter who’s in charge.

Charles Barkley Has Been Critical Of Donald Trump In The Past

It’s easy for some folks to immediately interpret Barkley’s latest comments as pro-Trump stuff, but the Basketball Hall of Famer hasn’t been shy in criticizing the 45th and 47th President.

Barkley previously admitted that he’s “not a big fan” of the 78-year-old while referring to his supporters as “nutty.” After the 4 Nations Face-Off Final between Canada and USA, Barkley also apologized to the folks north of the border about Trump’s proposed tariffs.