Trump criticises LeBron James over conduct during US national anthem
The US president said in a Truth Social post that the NBA star should apologise to those who died for the American flag.
At a glance
- Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that LeBron James disrespected the US national anthem at a recent NBA game.
- Trump said James should apologise to those who died for the American flag and what the country stands for.
- The Philadelphia 76ers did not immediately respond to Al Jazeera's request for comment on the video Trump shared.
US President Donald Trump criticised NBA superstar LeBron James on Thursday, saying the player behaved disrespectfully during the singing of the US national anthem at a recent NBA game.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country." He added: "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 shared a video alongside the post. According to Al Jazeera, the clip showed James standing in line with members of the Philadelphia 76ers, swinging his arms in a warm-up-style stretch and making basketball shooting movements.
A representative for the 76ers did not immediately respond to a request from Al Jazeera for comment.
Anthem protests a recurring flashpoint
The president has repeatedly criticised athletes for how they behave during pre-game renditions of the national anthem, a pattern that began in notable fashion with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest in support of racial justice.
In 2018, Trump cancelled the planned White House visit of the Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, after the team disagreed with his call for players to stand during the anthem.
James became a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and has frequently supported progressive issues as he rose to the top of the NBA's all-time scoring list. The exchange with Trump places one of basketball's best-known figures at the centre of a long-running US debate over athlete protest and the national anthem.
No response from James or his representatives was reported by Al Jazeera.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What did Donald Trump say about LeBron James?
- Trump said on Truth Social that James disrespected the country while listening to the national anthem, and called on him to apologise to those who died for the American flag.
- What was LeBron James doing during the anthem?
- A video shared by Trump showed James standing in line with Philadelphia 76ers players, swinging his arms in a warm-up-style stretch and making shooting movements.
- Has Trump criticised athletes over the anthem before?
- Yes. He has repeatedly criticised athletes' anthem behaviour, a pattern that began notably with Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest, and he cancelled the Eagles' 2018 White House visit.
