The Philadelphia 76ers’ newest addition, LeBron James, has quickly shown the deal was worth it as the team starts the NBA season 2-0. But on opening night Tuesday in New York, James was caught on camera visibly practicing his golf swing as the national anthem played, causing a media frenzy afterward.
The video shared by ClutchPoints showed James swinging his arms as if practicing his golf stroke, then going through his shooting motion.
The criticism came from all directions, with many painting James as a villain to America for not being engaged during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” That included the President of the United States.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!” Trump posted on Truth Social, via TheWrap.
“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.”
Conservative sports commentator and Sports and State founder Clay Travis chimed in and didn’t hesitate to question James’ allegiance to the United States.
“Zero percent chance LeBron would practice a golf swing during China’s national anthem. 0%,” Travis posted on X Thursday afternoon.
Travis doubled down on his original message in another post, writing, “LeBron would never disrespect the Chinese national anthem like he did the American national anthem this week. LeBron hates the country that made him a billionaire. His brain is broken.”
He then took to Fox News on Friday morning to rip James even further.
“He respects China more than he respects the United States,” Travis said live on Fox News. “LeBron James is a billionaire, a billionaire with a ‘B’ because he is fortunate enough to be really good at sports. If anyone should be grateful and thankful for all of the sacrifices that have occurred to allow him to have the level of economic success playing a game, it should be LeBron James. This is insanely disrespectful; the president was right to call him out for this.”
After Philly’s comeback win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, reporters approached James, eager to hear his response to Trump’s latest message.
“Must (have been) a slow news day at the office, you know? Slow news day in the office,” James said after the game, via USA Today.
After the video aired in studio, Travis pounced on the opportunity to land his closing jabs before being cut off.
“Yeah, that’s the wrong answer,” Travis added. “He should have said, ‘I’m a moron; I apologize.’ He didn’t do it. It’s not a slow news day; it’s more a reflection of who LeBron James is, more pro-China than pro-America.”
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