U.S. President Donald Trump accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States after the NBA star appeared to continue his warmups during a performance of the U.S. national anthem before Philadelphia’s season opener on Tuesday.
In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said, “While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!”
“I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGACE. 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,” Trump wrote in the post sharing the video from the game.
James appeared to practice a golf swing and jump shot as The Star-Spangled Banner was performed Tuesday at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
James, starting his first season with Philadelphia, was lined up alongside teammates who mostly stood still during the anthem.
Trump also spoke about James during a midterm rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday, saying, “And what about LeBron James? Did you see that deal?”
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“During the national anthem, he’s practicing his golf swing. I said, ‘what the hell is that?’ No, it’s a big scandal kind of a story. What’s it all about? I don’t understand it,” Trump added.
James shrugged off the president’s criticism after the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
“It must be a slow news day at the office,” James told reporters. “Slow news day at the office.”
This is not the first time Trump and James have criticized each other.
In 2018, Trump took a shot at James after the basketball star sat down with Don Lemon for an interview.
“Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!” Trump wrote on X.
James spoke with Lemon to discuss an elementary school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, which is a joint effort of the LeBron James Family Foundation and Akron Public Schools.
During the interview, James spoke of sports as something that unites people and said Trump was “using sports to kinda divide us.”
“Sports has never been something that divides people,” James said during his sit-down with Lemon. “It’s always been something that brings someone together.”
In 2017, James made a statement 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 X 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.”
—With files from The Associated Press
He is disrespecting the world by being alive
Boom, you must suck Trump’s coc a lot. Does he visit you in the mental institute
@Boom! Back!
except there is no Trump worshipper comments here, just Trump haters who didn’t care that the previous President used to have inappropriate showers with his daughter.
So funny to see Trump worshippers comment about Trump haters. I mean, Trump could molest a young girl and Boom! would be blaming the girl for dressing provocatively and that she ‘wanted it’
So funny to see all the TDS sufferers here.
Give them a Trump-hating article and they flock in droves, like flies to 💩.
” should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag”
Said the man who faked a medical condition to avoid serving his country.
Trump is the LAST person to talk about respect and accusing others of being a disgrace to the country. Look at yourself you fool. You are a HUGE disgrace to your own country and citizens. Not to mention the world.
Trump is a disrespectful Idiot & Draft Dodger, felon , rapist & a disgrace to the Military by saluting to soldiers that serve!
the disrespect is Trump playing President. trump is nothing but an ignorant waste of space that is like a child playing and pretending to be iking
This from the man who chose to wear his ball cap at a dignified transfer ceremony
Trump is a symbol of the long decay in the US democracy and has no idea what respect is.
James shown disrespect, no doubt about it. How would you all feel if some entitled azzhat did that during the Canadian national anthem since you’re all about elbow up and such.
If you’ll say it wouldn’t bother you if some putz keep jumping around scratching his butt during national anthem, then you forfeit to call yourself patriotic.
Mike Battler
I welcome you with open zipper
“Mike Battler” and “lol” 2x bumm blasters
I see all the butt hurt gays with tds are here.
Trump is the only disgrace is see there😂😂😂😂
Trump is not qualified to judge respectful behavior.
Donnie is making sure Americans die for the flag in the latest moronic war in the Middle East
Trump is a disgrace to his country and the world