Steve Kerr Wishes He Hadn’t Called President Donald Trump a ‘Buffoon,’ Admits His Comments on Hong Kong Were ‘Weak’

If you think Steve Kerr might suddenly soften his views on President Trump and his relationship with China, you could be quite surprised by recent developments.

In a recent interview, Kerr, the vocal head coach of the Golden State Warriors, shared his regret over earlier comments calling President Trump a “clown.” In addition, he expressed criticism of himself for not speaking out strongly against the Chinese government’s crackdown on protesters in Hong Kong.

The nine-time champion coach did maintain his differences from the president, yet he acknowledged that labeling Trump a buffoon was perhaps inappropriate. “I can express my feelings, but I didn’t represent the organization, so it didn’t get too personal. I represent a lot of people,” he stated.

Kerr mentioned, “In a sense, I regret calling the president a buffoon, even though I felt it in my heart. It’s essential to highlight not just policy decisions but also American values. What’s wrong with the president’s actions?”

Moreover, the former Arizona Wildcat took responsibility for not voicing stronger criticisms of the Chinese Communist Party, a key business partner for the NBA.

Back in 2019, the league was scrambling to manage the fallout after former Rockets GM Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters, which upset many in China and led to significant financial losses for the NBA.

Kerr, known for advocating free speech and critiquing the U.S., chose not to comment on that matter at the time.

The Warriors coach later reflected in the interview, saying he regretted that response.

“I gave a really timid answer. I was trying to navigate the situation,” he explained.

When asked if he regretted his approach, he admitted, “Well, I was wrong. We had many players on our team who did business in China. Lots of players traveled there during the offseason. The NBA had a substantial relationship with China. So, the league got tangled in this, and I didn’t manage it well. I was trying to stick to the company line and avoid upsetting the NBA.”

Reports suggest that Kerr’s tenure with the Warriors may be nearing an end, though he insists he has no plans to pursue a political career.