Trump calls LeBron James a total disgrace over national anthem video

The video that started the row

The row began with footage from the 76ers' season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, 20 October, a game Philadelphia won 106-100. In the recording, the other players stand in a rough line while the Star-Spangled Banner plays, while James is seen rehearsing a golf swing and mimicking shots at the basket. The clip spread quickly on social media and eventually reached Donald Trump, who shared the recording with his followers. Trump's reaction turned a pre-game habit into a national political story within days.

Trump's post and the reaction

On Thursday, 22 October, Trump wrote on Truth Social that James was a total disgrace for showing no respect for his country. He said James should apologize to American warriors and heroes who died for the flag and for what the country represents, and he posted the video alongside that demand. Trump's post was reproduced on X, where most of the comments were unfavorable to him. Several commenters called him a draft dodger and criticized his economic and foreign policies. Trump has attacked James before, and he has repeatedly faulted athletes over their conduct during the anthem, particularly since the kneeling protest by NFL player Colin Kaepernick.

James's reply

James answered after the 76ers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106, a game that was his first home appearance for Philadelphia. Asked about Trump's repeated references to him, James kept his answer brief and said it must have been a slow news day at the office. Philadelphia had come back from a 29-point deficit to win, and James finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals on poor shooting percentages. Tyrese Maxey led the hosts with 32 points and 6 assists, while Joel Embiid scored 24 points with 7 rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 21 points and 8 rebounds. James is in his 24th NBA season.

Campaign backdrop

Trump returned to the subject at a campaign rally in Iowa, ahead of the midterm elections on 3 November. There he referred to James practicing a golf swing during the anthem, saying he did not understand it and calling it a kind of big scandal. The row revives an older clash: in September 2017 James criticized Trump after the president withdrew a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors, once Stephen Curry, a Trump critic, said he would not attend. La Razon notes that James has publicly backed every candidate who has run against Trump in a presidential election. In 2018 Trump canceled a planned White House visit by the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles after the team refused his demand that players stand for the anthem.