Charles Barkley doubles down on criticism of black people wearing Trump mugshot merch and calls them ‘freakin’ idiots’ – days after he said he would ‘punch’ anyone he saw in MAGA clothes

NBA legend Charles Barkley doubled down on his criticism of black people wearing Donald Trump’s mugshot merchandise, labeling them “freakin’ idiots.”

Barkley spoke with Gayle King on Wednesday night’s edition of King Charles on CNN and discussed Saturday’s controversial comments in which he said he would “slap” any black person he saw wearing MAGA gear.

He addressed the scathing comment over the weekend, clarifying that it stemmed from the anger he felt after Trump addressed a crowd at the Black Conservative Federation Honors Gala in Columbia, South Carolina, on Feb. 22 and said black people like him because they are being indicted as the former president has been.

‘No. 1, obviously I’m not going to punch random strangers in the face. Second, people can vote for whoever they want,” the NBA legend said Wednesday.

“The point I was trying to make, no, the point I was making: When Donald Trump compares his fate to that of that black person, I had a problem with that.”

“I want to make it perfectly clear: If you’re a black person wearing a Donald Trump mugshot, you’re a fucking idiot,” he added.

“I want to make it perfectly clear: If you’re a black person wearing a Donald Trump mugshot, you’re a fucking idiot,” Barkley said Wednesday.

During his speech in South Carolina, Trump claimed that black voters like him because they are being sued and facing political persecution.

‘I was charged a second time, a third time and a fourth time! And a lot of people said this is why black people like me, because they’ve been hurt so badly and discriminated against,” Trump said.

‘And they actually saw me as… I’m being discriminated against. It was pretty amazing.”

“When I took the mugshot in Atlanta, that mugshot was No. 1. You know who was embraced more than anyone else?” Trump asked the crowd. ‘The black population.’

“Does that make any sense?” Trump asked.

Despite receiving applause for these comments, an incensed Barkley continued to target Trump for insulting black people.

When he said Saturday that he was going to punch people in the face during the show this weekend, King interrupted and said he was going to be arrested for assault, to which he replied, “I’m going to save myself and celebrate.”

Barkley then continued, “If I had been at that conference, I would have gotten up and walked out.” That was an insult to all black people.”

“To compare black history, when we were discriminated against, to his plight: first of all, he’s a billionaire, and they’re prosecuting him for things he did wrong.”

‘He’s a billionaire and has had a great life. He has been president of the United States. To insult black people who have been discriminated against all these years, to put them in the same category…I was just offended,” Barkley added.

On Wednesday’s episode, King brought up the social media firestorm that followed the 11-time NBA All-Star’s comments.

“You’re a grown** man, you say exactly what you think, and you take responsibility for everything you say.”

Posting a photo of himself wearing a black T-shirt with Trump’s mugshot on it and a red MAGA baseball hat, Zeek Arkham called out Barkley for his weekend commentary, saying, “Has anyone seen Charles Barkley?” I heard he was looking for me.”

Trump’s mugshot from Fulton County, Georgia. He said the “black population” embraced it more than any other group

A black man is seen wearing a shirt while Donald Trump holds up a sign and a jacket with a Trump 2024 patch on it (left). A black woman is seen with Trump’s mugshot on her shirt (right)

King then said, “And it’s not like you just say things for clickbait, right?”

“I always know how much gasoline I put on the fire,” Barkley replied.

Several people took to social media and responded to Barkley’s threat, as user Zeek Arkham posted a muscular photo of himself wearing a black T-shirt with Trump’s mugshot on it and a red MAGA baseball hat.

‘Has anyone seen Charles Barkley? I heard he was looking for me.’

“I grew up in the ‘you hit me, I’m gonna hit you back’ era,” Arkham said in his caption.

Barkley laughed it off when King said she knew he wouldn’t really “attack people.”

He then said Trump comparing himself to black people was “stupid” and “stupid.”

“When he compares a white billionaire who is in trouble for the things he has done, black people are in trouble for the things they deserve to do.”

He ended the interview by saying he “appreciated” those who responded to his comment and continued to carry the former president’s merchandise.

“If you had the mugshot and the Trump sneakers on, you crossed a line that you can’t get back,” Barkley said jokingly.