Why Is ‘Reading Rainbow’ Host LeVar Burton Being Bombarded With Hateful Trump Supporter Tweets?

There are few celebrities more beloved than LeVar Burton. The worst that even TMZ has is that time Burton was pulled over for a moving violation and was rear-ended by the cop … and was still very good-natured about everything. But Trump supporters have been angrily tweeting at the Reading Rainbow host … ironically, because they need to practice their reading. It seems they think LeVar Burton is the same person as LaVar Ball.

Ball is the father of UCLA basketball player LiAngelo Ball, who was caught shoplifting in China. On Nov. 14, President Trump said he had “a great conversation” with Chinese President Xi Jinping about releasing LiAngelo and his fellow players Cody Riley and Jalen Hill. The players were indeed released and sent back home to the United States.

Of course, the one thing Trump craves above all else is attention. While the three players thanked him for his role in their release, LaVar Ball didn’t. The elder Ball was skeptical of Trump’s involvement and said so. “Who? What was he over there for? Don’t tell me nothing. Everybody wants to make it seem like he helped me out.”

Trump took to Twitter — as he always does — to say that since LaVar Ball didn’t thank him, he should have left LiAngelo in a Chinese jail:

Now that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail, LaVar Ball, the father of LiAngelo, is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2017

Shoplifting is a very big deal in China, as it should be (5-10 years in jail), but not to father LaVar. Should have gotten his son out during my next trip to China instead. China told them why they were released. Very ungrateful!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2017

Whether or not you agree with Ball or Trump, it’s clear LeVar Burton had nothing to do with the incident. But not every Trump supporter realizes that:

@levarburton You're a has been actor with a thief for a son and Trump is the president of the United States. Get the picture?

— markconte (@proseman) November 21, 2017

#LeVarBurton is damn idiot

— Mr. Wrestling #4 (@mrwrestling_4) November 22, 2017

@levarburton you sure don’t do much for the black cause with your unlawful ungrateful parenting skills.

— Steven Epps (@Steven_L_Epps) November 20, 2017

For what it’s worth, Burton seems to be taking it in good humor — because, well, that’s just what LeVar Burton does.

One of many sleights I am having to endure these days. Thanks! @Lavarbigballer… #bydhttmwfi https://t.co/uYkoDOV6yZ

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 21, 2017

Ha…! I’m crying… #bydhttmwfi ???#theyputhiminthevisor https://t.co/KqerUABoFq

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 22, 2017

And his Star Trek: The Next Generation co-star Brent Spiner had a pretty good joke, too:

If you cared about our President, you’d change your name.

— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 21, 2017

While we hope Trump supporters leave Burton alone, we have to say this tweet sums up the entire situation:

Im sorry white people are being stupid again. Sigh

— Morwellians (@Morwellians) November 22, 2017

Anyway, if you’re curious, LaVar Ball is on Twitter as @LavarBigBaller. Maybe go tell him about your favorite children’s book?

Featured image by Christina House/Los Angeles Times