Trump on UCLA Players Arrested in China: Will They Thank Me?

President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday about his role in the return of three UCLA basketball players arrested in China.

Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2017

The three players were detained after being accused of shoplifting designer sunglasses from a store near the hotel where they were staying in Hangzhou, The Hill reported.

The players – LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley – do not face any charges in China, and any punishment to be given by UCLA has not been determined, the Los Angeles Times reported.

It was unclear if the players were released due to insufficient evidence or because of a deal between Trump, who intervened on the players' behalf last week, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump implied the players had indeed done something wrong, telling reporters that "what they did was unfortunate. You know, you're talking about very long prison sentences . . .  They do not play games" in China.

The players did not say anything upon their return to Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

Numerous people tweeted out criticism of Trump for his message.

I've never seen anyone, including my 8-year-old nephew, who needs as much praise, attention and ego-massaging as you do Mr. President

— Brian Krassenstein🐬 (@krassenstein) November 15, 2017

As president of the United States, you shouldn't do things simply to get a thank you. You should do things because you think they are right to do.

— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) November 15, 2017

• At Trump's Urging, 3 UCLA Players Have Departed China
• Trump: 'Terrific' Xi Working to Release Arrested UCLA Players