Trump Accuses LeBron James of Disrespecting United States During National Anthem
President Donald Trump criticized NBA star LeBron James on Oct. 22, 2026, demanding an apology after accusing the Philadelphia 76ers forward of disrespecting the United States by stretching and mimicking his free-throw motion during the national anthem before a game against the New York Knicks, USA Today reported. The president took to Truth Social to share footage from the Oct. 20 matchup, writing that James had shown a total lack of respect for the country and for American service members.
The post arrived less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, bringing national anthem protests back into the political discourse. Trump wrote that James should apologize to the military veterans and heroes who died for the American flag, calling the forward a total disgrace. Video footage from the game shows James moving his arms in a golf swing and mimicking a basketball shot while teammates stood still with their heads bowed or watched the singer.
Years of Friction Between Trump and James
The online clash marks the latest chapter in a long-standing feud between the two public figures. James campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and subsequently backed two other Democratic opponents. In July, Trump suggested during an Oval Office interview that James could be racist after remarking that Michael Jordan was the superior basketball player, adding that he only likes people who support him.
Tensions between the two escalated significantly in 2018 when James criticized the president in a CNN interview with Don Lemon, accusing Trump of using sports to divide people. Trump fired back on social media at the time, insulting Lemon and continuing a pattern of public criticism directed at athletes who speak out on social issues. During his first term, Trump frequently targeted NFL players who knelt during the anthem to protest racial inequality, famously rescinding a White House invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles after they won the Super Bowl.
James Contributes to 76ers Victory Amid Anthem Controversy
The anthem controversy unfolds as James plays his 24th NBA season, marking his first year with the Philadelphia 76ers after spending the previous eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. During the Oct. 20 game against the Knicks where the anthem incident occurred, James contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in a 106-100 victory for Philadelphia.
Neither James nor the Philadelphia 76ers organization issued an immediate public response to the president’s social media posts. The political back-and-forth continues against the backdrop of the upcoming midterm elections, echoing the prominent culture-war flashpoints that characterized sports and politics throughout Trump’s presidency.
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