A fresh conflict has erupted between former U.S. President Donald Trump and NBA star LeBron James, after Trump publicly accused James of showing disrespect to the United States for his behavior during the playing of the American national anthem earlier this week.
The incident took place Wednesday, ahead of the season-opening match between James’ team, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the New York Knicks. As the anthem echoed across the arena, footage captured James appearing to practice a golf swing and go through basketball shooting motions rather than standing at attention in the customary show of respect for the flag and anthem.
Trump quickly took to social media to air his condemnation. “While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!” Trump’s post read. “LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag.”
The former president doubled down on his criticism in a subsequent remark, referencing his long-running public feud with the athlete. “I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” Trump added.
As of Thursday, James has not issued any public response to Trump’s latest criticism. This is not the first time the two men have exchanged barbs: their public rivalry dates back years, with the most notable recent clash coming in July, when a reporter asked Trump to weigh in on the ongoing debate over whether James or Michael Jordan deserves the title of the greatest basketball player of all time.
At that time, Trump stated he preferred Jordan over James, and went on to suggest that James, who is Black, might hold racist views against white people. The former president added at the time that he “only like[s] people that like me.”