LeBron James issued a sarcastic response to President Donald Trump after he claimed the NBA superstar showed "disrespect' during the national anthem at the Philadelphia 76ers' game against the New York Knicks on October 20.
Trump called LeBron "a total disgrace" in a scathing Truth Social post on Thursday, demanding he "apologize" for his behavior during "The Star-Spangled Banner."
The president shared a video of LeBron appearing to make golf swings and practice a jump shot while standing alongside his teammates during the anthem.
Criticizing LeBron, Trump 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," he continued. "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!"
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Addressing Trump's comments on Thursday after the 76ers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106, LeBron brushed off the president's criticism with a brutal one-liner.
"Yeah, yeah, must be a slow news day at the office, you know. Slow news day in the office," he told reporters after the game.
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Trump took another swing at LeBron on Thursday evening during a campaign rally in Iowa, telling the crowd in a video shared on X: "During the national anthem, he's practicing his golf swing.
"I said, 'What the hell is that?' It's a big scandal kind of a story. What's it all about? I don't understand it."
LeBron's move to the 76ers
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LeBron confirmed in July 2026 that he had signed with the Philadelphia 76ers after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game," he wrote on X at the time.
"I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give."
He continued: "The last few weeks have really been special. I've never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I've had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out.
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"This is my last decision. I'm not going for money. I'm not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?" he added.
"I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time."