ENES KANTER FREEDOM: FROM CRITIC TO TRUMP ALLY
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has publicly declared his support for Donald Trump, marking a surprising shift in stance just 18 months after criticizing Trump ally Elon Musk for allegedly complying with censorship requests from the Turkish government.
Kanter Freedom, a long-time critic of Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—whom he has called the «Hitler of our century»—posted a video on X of himself meeting Trump at a recent gala. In the clip, the two shake hands, with Trump calling the Turkish-born athlete “fantastic” and thanking him for his support.
The basketball player, who became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and added «Freedom» to his name, wrote, «Had an amazing meeting with the President of the United States of America. I look forward to working with you.»
Kanter Freedom’s endorsement of Trump has sparked speculation about a potential role in the incoming administration, although no details have been confirmed.
Enes Kanter Freedom and president elect shook hands.
His political journey has been eventful. A vocal opponent of authoritarian regimes, Kanter Freedom has been critical of President Joe Biden, accusing him of being too lenient on dictatorships. He appeared at the Republican National Convention last summer, aligning himself with conservative politics.
The former NBA star has also faced personal consequences for his activism. Turkey revoked his passport, imprisoned his father on terrorism charges for seven years, and placed a $500,000 bounty on his head.
Enes Kanter Freedom in Israel. Jewish Insider.
Kanter Freedom’s criticism of Musk came after he was temporarily banned from X last year, a move he claimed was influenced by the Turkish government ahead of elections. He accused Musk of prioritizing business interests over principles, stating, “Elon thinks like a businessman. He’s not going to ban the whole app in Turkey. They’re bluffing.”
In addition to his critiques of Musk and Erdoğan, Kanter Freedom has made headlines for his outspoken views on China, targeting the NBA’s business ties with the country. He has accused basketball legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James of overlooking human rights abuses in pursuit of profits.
While his playing career has stalled, Kanter Freedom remains a polarizing figure, using his platform to spotlight political and human rights issues.