Trump asks LeBron James to apologize over national anthem dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Philadelphia 76ers player LeBron James for his actions during the national anthem and asked him to apologize. The dispute brought renewed attention to differences between Trump and James over sports, racism and political views.

Trump asks LeBron James to apologize over anthem conduct

Footage recorded before the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener against the New York Knicks has once again brought the dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and basketball player LeBron James into focus. In the footage, James moves his arms and makes gestures resembling ball warmups beside his teammates as the national anthem is played, while the other players remain still.

Trump regarded James’s actions during the anthem as disrespectful to the United States and asked the player to apologize.

Trump sharply criticizes James

In a statement posted to his Truth Social account, Trump said James had disrespected the United States during the national anthem. He also said the player should apologize to American soldiers and heroes who lost their lives for the U.S. flag and the country’s values.

Neither James nor the Philadelphia 76ers organization issued a public statement following the controversy.

Disagreements have surfaced before

Disagreements between Trump and James have previously emerged over sports, racism and political views. James accused Trump of using sports to divide Americans. Trump has also criticized James’s political positions in the past.

LeBron James, Paris 2024 Olimpiyatları'nda (arşiv)

In 2017, after Trump withdrew an invitation for Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry to visit the White House, James described Trump in a disparaging manner. In a 2018 interview with CNN, James said sports should be used to bring people together rather than divide them.

Ongoing disputes over the national anthem

Trump has previously criticized American football players who protested during the national anthem. In 2016, Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem to protest racial injustice and police violence.

In 2018, Trump canceled the planned White House visit by Philadelphia Eagles, the champions of the American football league, amid disputes over the players’ stance on standing during the national anthem.

James’s political and sporting profile

James, a four-time NBA champion, is recognized as the league’s all-time leading scorer. Alongside his sporting career, James has stood out for his statements on racial justice and equality and was among those who supported the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

James supported Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. In July, Trump again criticized James by saying he preferred Michael Jordan in the debate over the better player between James and the basketball legend.