Trump criticizes LeBron James over anthem
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The gist
US President Donald Trump posted a video criticizing NBA star LeBron James for moving during the national anthem, calling him a "TOTAL DISGRACE."
James, 41, had not publicly responded as of Thursday afternoon.
Background
LeBron James is an NBA star and Philadelphia 76ers forward, a four-time NBA champion now in his record 24th season. Donald Trump, the US President, posted a video on Truth Social criticizing James's movements during the anthem before the Sixers' Oct. 20 season opener at Madison Square Garden. The two have a years-long public feud: in 2017 James wore shoes printed with "equality" and later criticized Trump publicly, and on the day James signed with the Sixers this summer Trump said of him, "maybe he's a racist." Trump also has a history of attacking athletes over anthem behavior, notably former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016.
How it unfolded
- Oct 20, 2026In his 76ers debut, James appeared to practice a golf swing and jump shot while standing with teammates during the national anthem at Madison Square Garden. The Sixers beat the NBA champion Knicks 106-100 and James scored 14 points.
- Oct 21, 2026Barstool Sports posted a clip of James with the caption "Never a bad time for The King to practice his golf swing."
- Oct 22, 2026Trump posted a video on Truth Social criticizing James's anthem actions and calling him a "TOTAL DISGRACE," saying James should apologize to those who died for the American flag.
- Oct 22, 2026As of Thursday afternoon James had not publicly responded, according to The Associated Press; his representatives did not respond to ESPN's requests for comment.
- Oct 22, 2026James was scheduled to make his Philadelphia home debut Thursday night against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Trump said James "disrespects our Country" during the anthem and "should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag."
- Caution
- Reuters noted the video does not establish that James's movements were meant as a political protest.
Still unverified
Whether James's movements were intended as a political protest is unconfirmed; Reuters said the video does not establish it. Some online observers thought the motion was a golf swing, and the Inquirer noted the swing in Trump's video aligns with a left-handed golf swing while James is right-handed.