Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remains as outspoken as ever, but he now admits to regretting his decision to call President Donald Trump a 'buffoon' shortly after his first election. In a wide-ranging interview with The New Yorker, Kerr discussed his political views, his past, the modern NBA, and where his future may lie.
Reflections on the 2016 Rant
With Kerr rumored to be set to leave the Warriors this season, the coach was asked about a 'rant' he delivered during a press conference the day after Trump was elected in 2016. Kerr, who has never been shy about his political beliefs, recalled, 'He was establishing this new tone of communication that we were going to have in this country. I was so disgusted that I didn't hold back.'
However, years later, Kerr admits that he could have exercised more restraint. 'I've learned that I need to be better in terms of representing our organization in a way that I could still let my feelings be known but not get too personal,' he said. 'I'm representing a large group of people.'
Political Communication and Division
Kerr noted that political communication has changed since Trump's election but added, 'I don't think it's all Trump's fault. I think it was happening before Trump: the forces in social media, the forces in our country, the division.' The coach elaborated, 'He definitely has taken advantage of that to gain and to consolidate power. And he's using it to drive a wedge between all of us. He's not the only one who's done that, but he's the President. He's got the most power. But calling the President a buffoon, I kind of regret that, even though I felt it in my heart. It's better to point out policy decisions, but also American values. What's wrong with the things that he does.'
Policy Issues and Personal History
Regarding policy decisions, Kerr took particular issue with the war in Iran and Israel's incursion into southern Lebanon. This subject is deeply personal for Kerr, whose father, Malcolm Kerr, was an expert on the Middle East. Malcolm was president of the American University of Beirut in 1984 when members of the Islamic Jihad Organization, a group with close ties to Hezbollah, shot and killed him in his office.
While Kerr expresses a desire to depose the Iranian regime, he criticizes the manner in which the United States has carried itself. 'My dad was killed by Iranian proxies forty-two years ago. I have no regard for the Iranian regime whatsoever. But the answer does not lie in starting a war and killing innocent people,' Kerr explained. 'Imagine being a parent of one of the one hundred and seventy-five girls who died when their school was bombed. Their loss, their suffering . . . How are they going to feel about America? Violence begets violence.'
He continued, 'We've seen it in Israel and Lebanon as well. There was an opening for Israel to handle their business with the Palestinians diplomatically that would have solidified the Abraham Accords and allowed stronger alliances with Arab countries that would have really cornered Iran. Instead, Israel sought revenge for October 7th and now seventy-two thousand Palestinians have been killed and Israeli settlers are taking over the West Bank illegally, with the approval of Israel's government and the U.S. Ambassador, Mike Huckabee. That's not a path to any sort of peace or security for Israel or the rest of the Middle East.'
Kerr's View on American Leadership
Summarizing his opinion on the American political sphere, Kerr said, 'I think we're as weak as we've ever been as a country, at least in a long time, because our leadership is so misguided. There's a lack of humility, a lack of dignity, a lack of understanding of the world, a lack of embracing other perspectives. The belligerence.'
No Political Aspirations
Despite his outspoken nature and his family's history with foreign relations, Kerr feels no desire to explore a role in government. 'I don't have any desire to go into politics,' he said. 'I love basketball. This is my world. All of my friends and my people are in this world. And whether I keep coaching the Warriors or not, I imagine I'll be involved in basketball.'
