Former NBA player Tristan Thompson revealed he shares a close personal bond with Eric Trump, describing the relationship as one of the most unexpected friendships in his life. Thompson made the remarks during a March 31 appearance on a podcast hosted by Katie Miller.
When asked about surprising connections, he pointed to Eric as someone who has had a meaningful impact on him. The former Cleveland Cavaliers big man said he is “very close with” Eric. “He’s been actually great for me. He’s been like a big brother, mentor, been very welcoming,” Thompson said.
He added that the relationship has extended beyond personal support and into shaping his interests off the court. Thompson credited Eric with sparking his curiosity in politics.
He explained, “That’s just someone I would say, especially from, you know, the political government world, that’s really put his arm around me and made me, you know, he’s kind of helped motivate me to, like, want to dive into this realm a little bit more.”
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Thompson also spoke positively about President Donald Trump during the conversation. “With President Trump, what he’s doing first of all, I love what he’s done so far for our country. I think he’s helped our country a lot,” he said.
Tristan Thompson Expands Career Beyond NBA And Joins New Reality Project
Tristan Thompson has not formally announced his retirement from basketball, but he has taken on roles outside the NBA since his last appearance in April 2025. In June 2025, he said he joined Axon as a Chief Advisory Officer. He explained that the role connects to personal motivations, including supporting his brother Amari, who is disabled.
Thompson said he aims to move beyond athletics into business and innovation. “I think that’s why you see this whole narrative change where athletes want to be more than just sports. We want to be businessmen.”
He added, “They want to be creators and developers. And for myself, that’s what I want to be. I want to be an innovator. I want to do something that’s always being five steps ahead of the curve.”
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Moreover, he is also set to appear in Squid Game: The VIP Challenge, a Netflix project featuring a celebrity cast that includes Mel B and Dylan Efron. The show places participants in a competitive environment focused on strategy and skill.
