Donald Trump Demands LeBron James Apologize for National Anthem Actions

Trump revives anthem debate with attack on LeBron James

President Trump shares video of LeBron James warming up during national anthem at Philadelphia 76ers game, reigniting long-running feud with NBA star.

Trump slams LeBron James for “disrespectful” behaviour...

US President Donald Trump has criticised NBA superstar LeBron James on Thursday for what he described as disrespectful behaviour during the national anthem at a recent NBA game.

“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post accompanied by a video showing James moving his body during the anthem. “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!”

The video posted by Trump showed James lined up alongside Philadelphia 76ers players, swinging his arms in what appeared to be a warm-up stretch and going through basketball shooting motions.

A spokesperson for the 76ers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has a long history of criticising athletes for their actions during pre-game performances of the national anthem, dating back to NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest for racial justice.

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 ( TS: Oct 22 2026, 12:22 PM ET )‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 22, 2026

In 2018, he called off a planned White House visit for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles after the team pushed back against his insistence that players stand for the anthem.

James became a prominent voice in the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and has consistently spoken out on progressive issues while climbing to the top of the NBA's all-time scoring charts.