LeBron James’ Fresh Start Takes Bitter Turn As Donald Trump Revives Their Feud

LeBron James’ old baggage is tagging along for the new NBA season.

President Donald Trump slammed the iconic athlete online after his first game with the Philadelphia 76ers on Opening Night, Tuesday. This reignites their long-running feud, which has been quiet for a while.

LeBron James and Donald Trump have never hidden their distaste for one another. The athlete has openly called out the politician and even endorsed his opponent in the last presidential election.

Donald Trump Slams LeBron James As ‘A Total Disgrace’

Trump blasted James in a recent Truth Social post, calling him out for not standing at attention during the national anthem on opening night of the 2026-27 NBA season. The game on Tuesday, October 20, was between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.

While other players lined up for the anthem as Avery Wilson sang the country’s tune, James could be seen in a clip practicing his golf swings before switching to perfecting his shooting form.

“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,” Trump wrote in his post on Thursday.

The President Demands An Apology From The Athlete

Trump’s ripping message did not stop at calling James out for not showing respect to the anthem. He continued, writing that the NBA star’s action was a slap in the face to those who fought for the great nation’s freedom centuries ago.

“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,” the politician wrote before signing off the message with his name, as reported by TMZ.

The Tuesday game marked James’ official debut with the 76ers. He previously played with the Lakers for eight seasons, during which he led the team to their 17th NBA Championship. During his eight-year stint with the Lakers, James earned eight consecutive All-Star selections and seven All-NBA team honors.

Donald Trump Previously Labeled LeBron James ‘Racist’

In July, Trump took another jab at James during a White House press conference. He was asked who he considered the greatest basketball player of all time: James or Michael Jordan.

For the President, who has expressed his dislike for James over time, the answer was simple. However, rather than just picking one, the Republican made some eyebrow-raising comments about the athlete, as The Blast reported.

“Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He’s a really good guy,” the POTUS said, explaining his answer before adding, “I think LeBron is — maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.” 

It would have been surprising if Trump answered that question by picking James, since the former Lakers star has been a vocal critic of the politician over the years.

• LeBron James adds a new business venture to his portfolio.
• The NBA champion is also starting a new YouTube channel.
• LeBron James will play his first game against the defending NBA champions.
• Worries mount for Melania over Trump’s “disrespectful” behavior with Natalie Harp.
• The first lady’s five-word warning to Trump at the Grand Prix event was revealed.
• Trump’s latest remark about life with Melania “says it all” about their marriage.

The NBA Champ Endorsed Kamala Harris In 2024

During the last presidential campaigns, James was vocal about supporting Harris to take the seat of power instead of Trump. He used his social media platform to share a blistering compilation of the politician’s past controversial remarks while highlighting his support for the former Vice President.

What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!!,” the basketball icon wrote in a post on X.

His message was tagged to a video that portrayed Trump as a person who uses “racist” rhetoric to drive his personal gains and fuel his political campaign, according to a previous release from The Blast.

The video ended with the text  “Hate Takes Us Back,” after Trump was captured saying, “Of course I hate these people and let’s all hate these people because maybe hate is what we needed,” although it was unclear who he was speaking of, as the clip gave no clear context to the President’s remarks.

Donald Trump Threw Shade At LeBron James Amid Trans Athletes Controversy

Trump has maintained a stance that transgender women do not have a place in women’s sports. The issue was a hot topic in 2022 after Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, competed at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. Thomas, who had previously competed on the men’s team, won a fifth-place trophy after tying with Riley Gaines, a biological woman.

The issue came into the spotlight yet again after Sophie Cunningham recently made a statement expressing that she believes women’s sports and female spaces should be protected from transgender participation, as shared by The Blast.

Trump in 2022 slammed transgender women competing in women’s sports before turning the spotlight onto James. The President declared that he would be the greatest women’s basketball coach in history and joked that he would ask James whether he had “any desire to be a woman” so he could play on his hypothetical women’s team. 

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