President Donald Trump on Thursday called Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James a “total disgrace” and demanded an apology after video showed James making golf-swing and shooting motions during the national anthem before Tuesday’s season opener in New York.
James, in his first season with the 76ers and his record 24th NBA season, lined up with teammates at Madison Square Garden ahead of the game against the defending champion New York Knicks. While most players stood still as singer Avery Wilson performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” video captured James going through lateral swinging motions consistent with a golf swing before transitioning into basketball shooting form. The clip spread online with an overlaid caption reading “LeBron working on his golf swing pregame.”
Trump posted the video on Truth Social and wrote: “While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! 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!” He later repeated the criticism at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, describing the scene as “a big scandal kind of a story.”
While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! 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! President DONALD J. TRUMP ( TS: Oct 22 2026, 12:22 PM ET )
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 22, 2026
James brushed off the remarks after Thursday night’s home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, saying, “It must be a slow news day at the office.” The 76ers completed a 29-point comeback to win 114-106. In the Tuesday opener, Philadelphia beat the Knicks 106-100; James finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 34 minutes.
76ers coach Nick Nurse, speaking before the Cavaliers game, treated the comments as another outside distraction. “I think that goes right in with other outside noise we’ve already had,” Nurse said. “All I really care about is getting to the practice floor, getting them in the film room, getting them to the game floor. The focus that they’ve had and the intent and all the stuff like that has been outstanding.”
Trump and James have exchanged public criticism for years. No statement from the NBA or 76ers organization addressed the anthem video. On Thursday in Philadelphia, James stood still with his head bowed during the anthem before receiving a strong ovation from the home crowd.
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