Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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President Donald Trump has criticized LeBron James for the Philadelphia 76ers star’s warmup routine during the national anthem, ahead of the team’s season opener against the New York Knicks on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
“While listening to our National Anthem (SIC), LeBron James disrespects our Country,” the president’s post on his Truth Social account read. “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! DONALD J TRUMP”
The post included a video of James during the pregame performance of the national anthem. It shows the four-time NBA champion swinging his arms and shoulders and doing a free throw motion. Though other players in the Sixers lineup can be seen stretching, James’ movements are the most noticeable.
LeBron working on his golf swing pregame 🏌️♂️
(via @alexdaysports) pic.twitter.com/rgdHRz5G4k
— TickPick (@TickPick) October 21, 2026
Many on social media have speculated that James is practicing a golf swing, but the Inquirer pointed out that his motion is the wrong direction for a right-handed golfer, which James is.
This is not the first time that James has been observed making these motions during the national anthem. ESPN highlighted a time when he did it with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
This also isn’t the first time Trump has criticized James. In July, when James was completing his move to the Sixers, Trump was asked whether he preferred James or six-time champion Michael Jordan.
“Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine. Play golf with him. He’s a really good guy,” Trump replied. “I think LeBron is – maybe he’s a racist. Maybe he doesn’t like Trump. But I only like people that like me. So I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”
James campaigned for Hillary Clinton, Trump’s 2016 Democratic opponent, and has backed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the elections that followed.
In 2017, Trump also criticized former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality in the U.S.
The Sixers went on to defeat the defending champion Knicks 106-100. They take on the Cleveland Cavaliers — James’ first team, with whom he won a title in 2016 — in a home opener at Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
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