News Article
Published
Oct 23, 2026 at 03:14 AM EDT
President Donald Trump has called for a boycott of the WNBA over players leaving the court while the national anthem plays, and accused LeBron James of disrespecting the country for moving during the anthem at a game this week.
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have left the court for the national anthem before every game of the WNBA Finals so far, prompting a backlash from conservative critics.
The Valkyries say that going into the locker room for the anthem has been part of their pregame routine since joining the league last year, while The Atlanta Dream have left the court before the anthem for the past several years.
But Trump called for people to boycott the WNBA during a campaign rally in Iowa on Thursday, while referencing the NFL athletes who protested police brutality by kneeling silently during the national anthem before games a decade ago.
"It's a big deal going on. They leave the court when the national anthem's playing. What's that all about?" Trump said.
"The NFL did that for a while and they stopped because people stopped watching the games. So I think you should do the same thing with women's basketball."
Earlier on Thursday, Trump branded James a "TOTAl DISGRACE" for not staying still while a performer sang the national anthem ahead of a game on Tuesday.
James, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, appeared to be practicing his golf swing and basketball shots as the anthem was sung ahead of the season opener against the New York Knicks.
"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 on Truth Social.
"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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This is a developing story. More to follow.