President Donald Trump has accused Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James of disrespecting the United States after video showed the NBA veteran moving through warm-up motions during the national anthem before a game against the New York Knicks.
Trump criticized James on Truth Social on Thursday, October 22, after sharing a clip from Philadelphia’s season opener at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country,” Trump wrote, calling on James to apologize to American service members and others who died for the country.
The president also described the basketball star as a “TOTAL DISGRACE” in the post.
What Happened During the National Anthem?
The footage showed James standing alongside his Philadelphia teammates while moving his arms, stretching and making basketball shooting motions as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played before the game.
Most of the other players in the line appeared to remain relatively still.
Trump interpreted James’ movements as disrespectful and demanded an apology. However, the video itself shows his pregame movements; it does not establish James’ intentions.
As of Thursday, James had not publicly responded to Trump’s criticism, according to reports from The Associated Press. The 76ers also had not issued an immediate response to media requests.
A Long History of Tension Between Trump and Athletes
The dispute comes amid years of controversy over how American athletes behave during the national anthem.
Trump has frequently criticized players who protest or otherwise draw attention to themselves during pregame ceremonies. One of the most prominent examples was former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling during the anthem in 2016 to protest racial injustice and police brutality.
Trump also canceled a planned White House celebration for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 after a disagreement over the team's participation and his demand that players stand for the anthem.
The latest criticism involving James has renewed attention to the intersection of sports, patriotism and athletes’ public behavior.
LeBron James Has Long Spoken Out on Social Issues
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has used his public platform to discuss social justice and other political issues throughout his career.
In 2020, he became one of the most visible athlete voices supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also promoted civic participation and spoken about racial equality, drawing both support and criticism for his activism.
James and Trump have exchanged public criticism on previous occasions, making Thursday’s comments another chapter in their long-running disagreement.
Focus Shifts to Philadelphia’s Season
The controversy followed Philadelphia’s opening-night victory over the Knicks, as James began his first season with the 76ers after joining the team during the 2026 offseason.
The 41-year-old is playing in his record 24th NBA season. His arrival in Philadelphia has brought major attention to the franchise, both for its championship ambitions and for the attention surrounding one of basketball’s most recognizable figures.
Whether James responds to Trump’s demand remains to be seen. For now, the incident has added another debate about national anthem etiquette to the opening days of the NBA season.
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