US President Donald Trump has demanded an apology from basketball superstar LeBron James after accusing him of disrespecting the United States during the national anthem before a Philadelphia 76ers game.
Trump made the remarks in a post on his social media platform on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after a video from the 76ers’ season opener against the New York Knicks circulated online.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!” Trump wrote.
“I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE. LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!”
The video showed James moving his arms and rotating his shoulders while the US national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was performed at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 20.
Some viewers interpreted his movements as an attempt to practise his golf swing, while others suggested he was stretching or rehearsing basketball movements. The footage prompted debate over whether his actions demonstrated disrespect for the national anthem.
James, who joined Philadelphia after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, was on the court alongside teammates who largely remained still during the performance.
LeBron Responds to Trump
James subsequently responded to Trump’s criticism with a brief remark that appeared to dismiss the controversy.
“It must be a slow news day at the office, you know,” the basketball star said when asked about the president’s comments.
His response drew further attention to the public disagreement between the two men, who have exchanged criticism on several occasions over the years.
Trump has previously commented on James’s political views and public statements, while the NBA star has spoken openly about social issues and the role of athletes in public life.
A Debate Over Respect and Personal Conduct
The controversy has reignited discussions about how athletes should behave during national anthem performances at sporting events.
For some critics, standing quietly during the anthem is an important expression of respect for the country and those who have served in its armed forces. Others have questioned whether the movements shown in the footage were sufficient grounds for the level of criticism directed at James.
The footage establishes that James was moving during the anthem, but it does not, on its own, establish his intention.
James did not directly explain his movements in his response to Trump.
The exchange illustrates how actions by high-profile athletes can become national talking points, particularly when they intersect with questions of patriotism, public expectations and politics.
Despite the controversy, James and the 76ers continued their NBA campaign, with the veteran forward remaining a central figure in the team’s plans for the season.
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