Trump Accuses LeBron James of Disrespecting US National Anthem

United States President Donald Trump has accused basketball star LeBron James of disrespecting the country after footage showed the player moving and performing warm-up stretches during the national anthem before a National Basketball Association (NBA) game.

Trump made the criticism on Thursday in a post on his Truth Social platform, sharing a video recorded before the Philadelphia 76ers’ season-opening game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

The president described James’ conduct as a disgrace and called on the 41-year-old basketball player to apologise to American military personnel and others who died serving the country.

The footage showed James standing alongside his Philadelphia teammates while extending his arms and making movements resembling basketball shooting drills as the US national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, was performed. Most of his teammates remained relatively still during the ceremony.

James, who joined Philadelphia for the 2026–27 season after spending much of his career with other NBA franchises, had not publicly responded to Trump’s criticism as of Thursday.

The incident has drawn attention partly because of the longstanding public exchanges between the president and the four-time NBA champion, who has frequently spoken about racial justice and other social issues.

Trump has previously criticised athletes over their conduct during the national anthem, including former National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling during the ceremony in 2016 to protest racial injustice.

In 2018, Trump also cancelled a planned White House visit for the Philadelphia Eagles after disagreements over players’ participation in the traditional celebration following their Super Bowl victory.

The controversy comes as James begins his first season with the 76ers. Philadelphia defeated the Knicks 106–100 in the season opener, with James contributing to the victory.