President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on NBA superstar LeBron James, accusing the basketball legend of disrespecting the United States during the national anthem and demanding that he publicly apologize to America’s fallen military heroes.
The controversy erupted after a video circulated online showing James making movements resembling golf swings and basketball shooting gestures while the national anthem was being performed ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season-opening game against the New York Knicks on October 20, 2026.
The footage quickly attracted criticism, with some viewers accusing the four-time NBA champion of failing to demonstrate proper respect during the patriotic ceremony.
Reacting to the video on Thursday, October 22, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his outrage, describing James as a disgrace and insisting that his actions dishonored those who sacrificed their lives defending the United States.
In his strongly worded statement, Trump declared that James had disrespected the country during the national anthem and called him a “TOTAL DISGRACE.”
The president further demanded that the basketball superstar apologize to American service members and fallen heroes who defended the nation’s flag and its values.
The confrontation marks another dramatic chapter in the long-running feud between Trump and James, whose political differences have repeatedly attracted national attention.
James has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s leadership and previously supported Democratic presidential candidates, including Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The president has also publicly criticized James on several occasions, including during a July 2026 discussion about basketball’s greatest players, when he expressed his preference for Michael Jordan.
Meanwhile, the latest controversy has reignited discussions about patriotism, freedom of expression and how professional athletes should conduct themselves during the national anthem.
Critics argue that athletes representing major American sporting organizations should demonstrate respect when the anthem is performed. Others caution against interpreting an athlete’s gestures as deliberate disrespect without understanding the person’s intentions.
Although the video shows James making the movements, it does not establish whether he intended to insult the country or its military personnel.
As of the latest reports, James had not issued a publicly confirmed response to Trump’s latest demand.
With the president’s criticism attracting national attention, the confrontation has once again placed the NBA superstar at the center of a heated debate extending far beyond the basketball court.
