LeBron James does not seem to mind that the president of the United States is mad at him.
The Philadelphia 76ers star drew some attention for his behavior during the national anthem at his team’s season-opener against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. As “The Star Spangled Banner” played, James was seen going through rotational exercises and his shooting motion while lined up with his teammates.
It was a small moment during a larger pregame ceremony at Madison Square Garden, but footage from the crowd began going viral Wednesday and drew the attention of President Donald Trump on Thursday.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump blasted the four-time NBA champion:
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
Trump continued to criticize James during a rally at Sioux City, Iowa on Thursday night, calling James’ exercises a “golf swing” and “a big scandal kind of story.”
James and the Sixers did not appear bothered by the comments. Speaking before Thursday’s game, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse downplayed Trump’s words as one more outside distraction for Philadelphia, which entered this season with championship expectations after adding James and Jaylen Brown to a playoff-level core.
“I think that goes right in with other outside noise we've already had,” Nurse said before the game. “I keep saying the same thing. 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.”
Speaking after the game, a historic comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, James was also asked about Trump. His reaction was a quick chuckle, then a quick comment:
“Must have been a slow news day at the office. Slow news day at the office.
James did avoid going through similar motions before the anthem Thursday, though he could definitely be seen swinging his hips at one point.
This is far from James and Trump’s first run-in. Their animosity was most notable when James called Trump a “bum” over the president’s attempt to rescind the NBA champion Golden State Warriors’ White House invitation after it became clear Stephen Curry and co. would not be attending.
James has been politically outspoken in the past, often in disagreement with Trump, and also endorsed all three of Trump’s presidential opponents in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections.