Steve Kerr trolls Trump with $5,000 check joke after midterm losses

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joked about President Donald Trump's $5,000 check promise during a post-practice media session on Wednesday, one day after Democrats swept key races in the midterm elections.

Reporters at Chase Center were packing up their equipment after practice when Kerr stopped the room.

No one had asked about Tuesday's midterm results.

Kerr brought up the topic unprompted.

"I'm disappointed, because I was looking forward to that $5,000 check that we were all gonna get," Kerr said, taking a swipe at President Trump.

"I already spent it, in fact."

"And I was so excited and sure about it that I spent it already."

"So now I'm gonna have to figure something out."

The comment was a direct reference to Trump's pre-midterm promise to give $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans maintained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Democrats won outright majorities in both chambers on Tuesday, making that promise impossible to fulfill.

Kerr has been one of the NBA's most vocal critics of President Trump.

He endorsed Kamala Harris for president.

He appeared as a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention.

He used Stephen Curry's signature "night night" celebration to mock Trump.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob has publicly said Kerr "sometimes goes a little far" with his political comments.

Kerr's joke drew a strong response from NBA fans on social media.

"Dude is clowning, and he deserves to get his jokes in," one fan said.

"Steve Kerr has always been one of the most vocal anti-Trump people in sports, so this checks out," another fan added.

"Kerr just couldn't help himself, and I love it," a third fan wrote.

"Someone tell Kerr the Warriors luxury tax bill costs a little more than that," a fourth fan commented.

"Don't worry Steve, we still got the tariff and DOGE checks coming," a fifth fan replied.

"You don't even have to agree with his political views to respect this troll," a different comment read.

The midterm elections were widely described as a "blue wave."

Democrat nominees ran the table in several senatorial and gubernatorial races across the country.

Kerr's political commentary has drawn scrutiny before.

In January, after a road trip to Minnesota, Kerr said ICE agents were taking 5-year-old kindergartners and American citizens rather than targeting violent criminals.

When challenged with the agency's enforcement record and criminal arrest numbers, Kerr acknowledged he had misspoken.

"You're right, I definitely misspoke, and I knew that ICE was arresting some criminals," Kerr said.

"I misspoke, and I apologize for the misinformation."

When the reporter pressed him with a follow-up question, Kerr ended the exchange, saying: "All right, let's talk about basketball."

Kerr has also acknowledged his silence about China's actions in Hong Kong.

He said that silence was intended to protect the NBA's financial interests.

He also said he regretted calling Trump a "buffoon."

The contrast between Kerr's willingness to bring up politics on Wednesday and his eagerness to return to basketball when questioned about his ICE comments has not gone unnoticed.

On Wednesday, reporters had been asking about basketball before Kerr interrupted.

He chose to bring up politics when no one had asked.

Some observers have pointed to what they see as a double standard.

Kerr's joke came one day after Republicans suffered heavy losses at the ballot box.

Trump had publicly promised the $5,000 check as a centerpiece of his midterm messaging.

With Democrats now controlling both chambers, that check will not be sent.

Kerr's comment was a clear reference to that failed promise.

He did not mention Trump by name, but the target was unmistakable.

The Warriors coach has a history of political commentary that extends beyond basketball.

He has been a prominent voice on gun control.

He has spoken about racial justice.

He has criticized the Trump administration's policies on multiple occasions.

His political activism has sometimes put him at odds with fans and even within his own organization.

Owner Joe Lacob's comment that Kerr "sometimes goes a little far" reflected a tension that has been simmering for years.

Kerr's Wednesday joke was delivered with a smile.

But the context around it is anything but light.

The midterm results were a significant setback for Trump and the Republican Party.

Democrats gained seats in both the House and Senate, flipping several key races.