As reported on Instagram
The moment came on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, minutes before LeBron James made his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks in the NBA season opener. As singer Avery Wilson performed "The Star-Spangled Banner," James stood in line with his new teammates swinging his arms — first in practice golf swings, then going through his shooting motion — while most of the team stood still. Video of the moment, posted by ClutchPoints, spread quickly online.
The clip drew criticism on social media over the following two days. Fox News host Laura Ingraham weighed in with a sarcastic comment, reported by Forbes: "Class all the way."
On Thursday, President Trump reshared the video on Truth Social and wrote: "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!"
The game itself ended with the 76ers winning 106-100, spoiling the Knicks' championship ring night at Madison Square Garden. Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points for Philadelphia, and James finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the first game of his 24th NBA season, after signing with the 76ers on a two-year deal in July.
The movements Trump objected to are not new for James. He has done versions of the golf-swing routine during the anthem going back to at least 2019, including on Christmas Day last season when he was still with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he has spoken openly about taking up golf seriously in the later years of his career. He has given no indication the movements were meant as a protest, and as of Thursday he had not responded to the president's post.
It is the latest round in a long-running feud between the two. James has been a critic of Trump since his first term and campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. In July, when reporters at the Oval Office asked Trump to choose between James and Michael Jordan, he picked Jordan — a friend and golf partner — and said: "I think LeBron is maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way."