Trump Criticizes LeBron James Over National Anthem Conduct at 76ers Season Opener

President Donald Trump publicly criticized LeBron James on Truth Social after footage showed the NBA star appearing to practice a golf swing during the national anthem at the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener against the New York Knicks. Trump called the act disrespectful and demanded an apology. The incident adds to a long public history of disagreements between Trump and James, who has previously used his platform to speak on social and political issues. As of Thursday afternoon, James had not responded publicly.

A Thursday post on Trump's Truth Social account described LeBron James as having been disrespectful to the country, pointing to footage of the basketball star appearing to rehearse a golf swing while the national anthem played ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers' home opener against the New York Knicks. In a post appearing after James's debut for the 76ers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Trump stated he had held from the beginning that James was not a suitable figure, and called on the player to apologise to those who had served in the military under the American flag. Without offering any supporting evidence, Trump characterised the individual as someone of good standing, then raised the unprompted possibility that LeBron James might be motivated by racial bias or a personal grievance against him. That speaker's warmth extended only as far as it was met with warmth in return. Facing a question from a Fox News presenter in 2018 about whether athletes should limit their public voices to sport, James rejected that framing outright, with reporters noting at the time that he and fellow players had every intention of continuing to speak on broader issues.

Trump Criticizes LeBron James Over National Anthem Conduct at 76ers Season Opener

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Trump Criticizes LeBron James Over National Anthem Conduct at 76ers Season Opener

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