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Live sport on SN this weekend'Total disgrace': Trump-versus-LeBron spat boils again
AP •  October 23rd, 2026 10:49 am
Basketball great LeBron James incurred Donald Trump's wrath at Philadelphia's season-opening game | Photo: AP
Donald Trump has accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States after the NBA legend appeared to continue his warm-ups while the national anthem was performed before Philadelphia's season-opener.
"I said right from the beginning that he's no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE," the US president said on Wednesday, criticising James in a social media post sharing the video.
"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!"
James appeared to practice a golf swing and jump shot as The Star-Spangled Banner was performed at Tuesday's game in New York.
James, starting his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers, was lined up alongside teammates who mostly stood still during the anthem.
Trump and James have been critical of each another for years, occasionally trading public swipes.
The 41-year-old James, in his record 24th NBA season, was set to make his home debut for the Sixers on Thursday night against Cleveland.
James has become entangled with the President before. In 2017, he called Trump "a bum" on Twitter and also said: "He doesn't understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United State for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement.
"He doesn't understand that, and that's what makes me more sick than anything."
Donald Trump has had verbal clashes with the basketball great before | Photo: AP
Trump has repeatedly criticised athletes for ​their behaviour ‌during pre-game renditions of the US national anthem, notably beginning with ​NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest in support of racial justice.
Trump cancelled a planned White House visit of the Super ​Bowl ​champions Philadelphia Eagles in ​2018 after the team disagreed with ‌his call for players to stand during the anthem.
James became a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and has frequently supported progressive issues as he ascended to the top of ​the NBA's all-time scoring list.
