Royce White: A candidate's controversial path from NBA to Maga

Royce White is a former basketball player who is now trying to make a name for himself in politics. He is running for a seat in Congress in Minnesota, and his journey has been quite unusual. White was a talented basketball player in high school, leading his teams to two state championships. He then went on to play at Iowa State University, where he caught the attention of the NBA. In 2012, he was drafted by the Houston Rockets. However, his career in the NBA was cut short due to his severe fear of flying, which made it difficult for him to travel for games. He only played in three games during his time in the league. After leaving the NBA, White explored other sports, including mixed martial arts and the Big3 basketball league, which was co-founded by rapper Ice Cube. Throughout his career, he has been open about his struggles with mental health, particularly anxiety, which has given him a platform to speak on these issues. In 2020, after the tragic death of George Floyd in Minnesota, White took to the streets to organize and lead protests. He has stated that his protests were separate from the larger Black Lives Matter movement that gained national attention. However, he later distanced himself from the Black Lives Matter organization. White's political views have shifted significantly to the right over time. He has become a frequent guest on Steve Bannon's War Room podcast, and at times, he has even taken over as host while Bannon was unavailable. In 2022, White attempted to challenge progressive Democrat Ilhan Omar for her seat in the U. S. House but failed to secure the Republican nomination. His political journey has been marked by controversy. While playing in the Big3 league, he made headlines by writing political slogans on his bald head, including phrases like 'United States of the Federal Reserve' and 'Alex Jones was right. ' His campaign website even features an endorsement from the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. A watchdog group has raised concerns about his campaign spending, alleging that he used over $150,000 of campaign funds for personal expenses, including gym memberships and clothing. White has also made headlines for promoting conspiracy theories related to the coronavirus pandemic and making controversial statements about women and Jewish people. His comments have drawn criticism from various groups, including the Republican Jewish Coalition, which labeled him anti-Semitic. White has responded to his critics by claiming that they are out of touch and that he is being attacked for his conservative beliefs. Despite the controversies, White managed to win the Republican primary, surprising many political observers. Initially, he was seen as an underdog against his main opponent, Joe Fraser, a military veteran and businessman. However, his association with Bannon and his controversial statements garnered him significant support among far-right Republicans. After winning the primary, White expressed his commitment to uniting conservatives in Minnesota and attracting disenchanted Democrats to his cause. However, he now faces a formidable challenge in the general election against Amy Klobuchar, a well-established Democrat who has a strong track record and significant financial backing. Klobuchar won her last election with over 60% of the vote, making her a tough opponent for White. Political analysts believe that White has little chance of winning, given Klobuchar's popularity and financial resources. The race is seen as a reflection of the current state of the Republican Party, which has been heavily influenced by Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. While some candidates have succeeded under Trump's banner, others, like White, may struggle to gain traction in a competitive political landscape.