LeBron James Shows No Respect for the Flag, the Men and Women Who Lived and Died for This Country, and All Americans.
LeBron James really did America wrong on Wednesday night.
LeBron decided to practice his golf swing during the national anthem last night. I can’t wait until he retires, he’s been toxic for the entire NBA. https://t.co/wTusZifdla
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 22, 2026
President Trump shared his disdain for LeBron’s actions:
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
🚨 WOW! President Trump just demanded an IMMEDIATE apology from Lebron James to servicemembers and their families for disrespecting the national anthem before the game
“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!” 🙏🏻
SPOT ON. What a disgusting move.
Cameras caught LeBron practicing his GOLF SWING and shooting form during the anthem
He’s made over a BILLION dollars in this country. He can’t spare two minutes for the flag?
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 22, 2026
ESPN commented on LeBron’s lack of respect for America and shared the following:
Representatives for James did not respond to requests for comment from ESPN. James, 41, in his record-24th NBA season, was set to make his home debut for the Sixers on Thursday night against Cleveland.
Coach Nick Nurse had talked at length since training camp opened about the Sixers’ need to tune out outside distractions. Hours before their home opener, the Sixers had to deal with one from the president.
“I think that goes right in with other outside noise we’ve already had,” Nurse said before the game. “I keep saying the same thing. All I really care about is getting to the practice floor, getting them in the film room, getting them to the game floor. The focus that they’ve had and the intent and all the stuff like that has been outstanding.”
ESPN then claimed President Trump was just as irreverent once, and that James has a history against President Trump.
Trump himself has been criticized for his actions during the national anthem. In 2020, the Miami Herald posted a video of Trump waving his hands as if to conduct an orchestra while the national anthem was played at a Super Bowl watch party. In the brief video clip, Trump also appeared to gesture at others as those around him stood with hand over heart while the anthem was played.
Trump and James have been critical of each other for years, occasionally trading public swipes. Among some of the more notable times James became entangled with the president or politics:
• James was with the Cavaliers in 2017 when he made a statement during an NBA game with his shoes — one black, one white, with the word “equality” in capital gold letters on the back of each. Then, after the game, James made a statement about Trump, saying: “This is a beautiful country and we’re never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are.”
James had called Trump “a bum” on Twitter and also said earlier that season of the president: “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.”
ESPN left out how James supported Hillary in 2016, only to see her lose after giving his support.