The president accused the NBA star of disrespecting the U.S.
October 22, 2026, 7:47 PM
President Donald Trump attacked Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James on Thursday over a video appearing to show the NBA star stretching during the national anthem ahead of his Sixers debut against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
"While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!" Trump wrote in a social media post alongside a video of James that included overlaid text claiming that James was "working on his golf swing."
"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!" Trump added.
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers and Miles McBride of the New York Knicks battle for possession on a jump ball during the second quarter of their game, October 20, 2026, in New York City.
Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images
In the video, LeBron can be seen performing arm stretches before moving on to mimic a basketball shooting motion.
Trump has a long history of attacking James going back to his first administration, when the president disparaged the four-time NBA champion's intelligence over an interview he did with CNN.
More recently, Trump speculated in July that James was a "racist" after he signed with the Sixers.
"I think LeBron is, maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump, I don't know," Trump said in response to a question about if James or Michael Jordan was a better player. "I only like people who like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way."
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James drives as New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Oct. 20, 2026, in New York.
Frank Franklin Ii/AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
James has yet to comment on Trump's latest remarks. Representatives for James did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment on Thursday.
Popular Reads
The NBA star has publicly criticized Trump in the past. After Trump rescinded a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors in 2017, James told reporters: "He doesn't understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement. He doesn't understand that, and that's what makes me more sick than anything."
James later told reporters, "This is a beautiful country and we're never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are."
James scored 14 points for the 76ers in their 106-100 victory over the Knicks, the defending NBA champions, in the opener Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
The four-time NBA champion will make his home debut for Philadelphia against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Thursday night.