Michael Jordan Has Trash-Talk History With Obama and Clinton

While they largely exist in separate arenas, pro athletes and big-time politicians occasionally cross paths. Major American teams that win championships usually make a celebratory trip to the White House. And if you're someone who transcends sports like Michal Jordan, you'll probably have more encounters with the commander-in-chief than most.

Although His Airness skipped one White House visit to play an infamous round of golf, he still spent time around some major political names. Take, for example, moments with presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

And given that we're talking about Jordan, who was a fearless competitor in his own right, you'd be right to assume that there was some trash-talk involved.

Jordan Teased Clinton on the Golf Course

It should go without saying that basketball is Michael Jordan's comfort zone. The living legend, however, also has a knack for golf. His trash-talking abilities have also made the leap from the hardwood to the links.

And, in a very on-brand move, MJ was even willing to chirp at a president.

In a 2011 Wall Street Journal story, President Bill Clinton discussed his golf game and remembered an on-course encounter with the NBA great.

"Clinton loves playing golf with athletes whenever he can. He's played with Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Luke Donald and Michael Jordan, among others," John Paul Newport wrote. "Jordan coaxed him from the white tees to the championship tees by saying, 'You're going to play from the little girls' tee?'"

Newsweek has reached out to Jordan's Jump Management and Clinton via email for comment on whether either man remembers the encounter.

But, if nothing else, it seems like Clinton hung tough in the face of adversity.

"Jordan's challenge was for Clinton to break 100; he did," Newport recounted.

Obama Poked Fun at Jordan in 2016

Over the years, many NBA players learned that it wasn't wise to needle Jordan. As we learned in "The Last Dance," he was more than capable of taking things personally.

But when you are 1) the sitting president and 2) giving out the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it seems like you get a bit more leeway. Or at least Barack Obama did.

"When he was 5 years old, Michael Jordan nearly cut off his big toe with an axe," the then-president quipped. "Back then, his handles needed a little work."

The ribbing, however, didn't end there.

After rattling off some of the living legend's accomplishments, Obama noted that MJ was "more than just an internet meme," alluding to the famous "crying Jordan" image. His Airness, seated in the background, appeared to look up with a laugh at the comment.

But the biggest (playful) barb came when the POTUS spoke about the larger group of honorees.

"Today, we celebrate extraordinary Americans who have lifted our spirits, strengthened our union, pushed us towards progress," Obama said. "I always love doing this event, but this is a particularly impressive class. We've got innovators and artists...public servants, rabble-rousers, athletes, renowned character actors, like the guy from 'Space Jam.'"

That final entry on that list, of course, reduced Jordan to an acting credit opposite Bugs Bunny.

Newsweek reached out to Jump Management (via email) and Obama (via his personal website) asking about recollections of that day.

That wasn't the first time the two men tangled, though. In 2014, MJ criticized Obama's golf game. That led to a riposte in which the president suggested that Jordan should be the better golfer because he spent more time on the course than he did worrying about the success of his NBA team.

With all of that said, Jordan received his flowers in 2016, in addition to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"There is a reason you call someone 'the Michael Jordan of,'" Obama explained. "Michael Jordan of neurosurgery or the Michael Jordan of rabbis. Or the Michael Jordan of outrigger canoeing. They know what you're talking about because Michael Jordan is the Michael Jordan of greatness. He is the definition of somebody so good at what they do that everybody recognizes it."

And when you're getting that sort of praise, it's easier to absorb some gentle ribbing.