Two former NBA players and Donald Trump walked into a campaign rally in Oklahoma… Well, never mind; that’s the beginning of a bad joke. Somehow, Thursday night’s rally in Durant, Oklahoma also felt like that.

Trump has never been one to stay quiet when he sees sports diverting from their traditional essence. So far, he has commented on every major league in the nation, with the NFL being his favorite target. On Thursday night, he also took a comical jab at Enes Kanter Freedom about his ongoing feud with the WNBA. Somehow, NBA legend Dennis Rodman, a quiet participant in the said rally, became collateral damage — and how!

“Dennis is the all-time rebounding king in the history of the (NBA)… So, Dennis, you’re a little bit older now, but you’re in great shape. Do you think you’d be able to make it in women’s basketball?,” Trump asked Rodman, who was sitting next to Freedom in the rally. “I don’t know, Dennis. I’m very worried about you. I’m very worried about you.”

We already know about Rodman’s support for Trump and his friendship with him since 2018, when he first took the credit for the President’s meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un. However, he has neither shown interest in playing in the WNBA nor commented on Freedom’s case. But the latter also gave some context to that.

While sharing Trump’s clip on his X, Freedom mentioned that Rodman is apparently supposed to coach him as he takes on the WNBA players in 2027. Bizarrely enough, POTUS doesn’t mind that and stretched the joke even further.

Trump exempts Freedom and Rodman to play in the WNBA, makes a promise

The whole saga began when the Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham shared her views on the transgender athletes playing in the WNBA. As backlash against her grew, Freedom made an ironic demand.

In August, he started a public campaign while declaring himself for the 2027 WNBA Draft, since rules around entering the league remain vague and only require the players to declare themselves female. While the league denied the former NBA player’s request, it also didn’t change its rules. All the while, Freedom was supporting Cunningham, which was apparent with his ‘woman – noun’ T-shirt he wore in a WNBA matchup, where he was ejected after Chicago Sky player Natasha Cloud shouted at him.

As such, Trump also did not mind extending the debate.

“So, they are good and they have an exemption. I’m giving them a full pardon that they can go into women’s sports anytime they want,” Trump said before promising, “And I guarantee you when they do, they will break, even though they’re slightly older — although Freedom looks like he’s pretty young — they will break every record in the history of women’s sports.”

While Freedom objected that the WNBA’s rules should apply equally to everyone, the league also denied another former NBA player, Royce White’s similar request. But Freedom is not stepping away.

Freedom responds to Trump after POTUS’ rally comments

Ahead of the campaign rally, Trump met Rodman and Freedom backstage and took a photo he didn’t like because he looked “small”. On the stage, POTUS also pulled their legs.

“Have men playing in women’s sports? Where’s Freedom? I saw a man here, the largest human being I’ve ever,” he said. “Look at this guy. I mean, in all fairness, this guy is a monster. He dreams of playing against women.

“In fact, he’s willing to say that he’s a woman in order to play against women. And I don’t think he really believes that, but that’s okay. These are minor details… Now, look at these guys. They’re seven feet tall. They’re monsters.”

Trump then turned back to Freedom and called him “crazy” before thanking both former NBA players. Then, it was Freedom’s turn.

“After a great conversation with President @realDonaldTrump, I officially invited him to my first @WNBA game in 2027. Also, @NBA Hall of Famer @dennisrodman has agreed to coach me this offseason and get me ready for the WNBA season. Can’t wait to become the greatest female @WNBA player of all time.

“Rules Are Rules! #LetFreedomPlay”

With Kanter continuing his campaign and Rodman now jokingly presented as his coach, this unusual WNBA storyline could continue to get attention as the 2026 WNBA playoffs continue to roll and the Draft approaches next April.