Magic Johnson Fires Back at Sterling: ‘I Don’t Have AIDS, I Have HIV’

Magic Johnson is scheduled to give an “exclusive” interview to Anderson Cooper on CNN tonight, but it looks like the network just got scooped by TMZ. The former NBA star called into TMZ Live Tuesday to share his reaction to additional comments L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling made about him to Cooper on CNN last night.

Johnson began by correcting the record on his medical condition. “When you come on [television], number one, you should have your facts straight,” he said. “I don’t have AIDS, I have HIV, been living with HIV with 22 years.”

“That’s his opinion if he thinks I’m not a role model, that’s his own opinion,” Johnson continued, before outlining the ways he’s helped minority communities with his foundation. “I’m a proud black man. I’m a leader in the black community and I take that role seriously,” he said.

Johnson called on Sterling to apologize to him and “all the other minorities he offended” with his words. “It’s sad. We’ve just got to pray for him,” Johnson said later, saying he hopes Sterling gets the “help” he needs.

Presumably, we can expect more of the same sentiments, with Johnson on camera instead of on the phone, when he sits down with Cooper tonight.

Watch video below, via TMZ:

And here are Sterling’s latest comments about Johnson below, via CNN:

[Photo via screengrab]

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