Trump accuses LeBron James of disrespecting anthem, demands apology
Donald Trump accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States during the national anthem before Monday's 76ers–Knicks game, posting a clip of the forward stretching and calling him a 'TOTAL DISGRACE'.
Donald Trump accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States during the national anthem and demanded the NBA star apologise, in a Truth Social post published on Thursday, October 22.
The post carried a video clip showing James stretching and swinging his arms — at times mimicking a golf swing and then a basketball shooting motion — while the anthem was sung before Monday’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The rest of the 76ers players stood still, with their heads down or watching the singer, according to USA Today.
“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!”
A representative for the 76ers did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported.
The attack comes less than two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections and revives a long-running feud. Trump has criticised athletes over anthem conduct since his first term — notably NFL players who knelt in protest — and he cancelled a 2018 White House visit by the Philadelphia Eagles over the issue. James campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and for Trump’s two other Democratic opponents since, and in July Trump said in the Oval Office that James could be “racist” while declaring Michael Jordan the superior player.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is in his 24th season and his first with Philadelphia after eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 76ers won Monday’s game 106-100, with James scoring 14 points alongside nine rebounds and seven assists.
Sources: Reuters via The Jerusalem Post; USA Today; Akron Beacon Journal
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