Donald Trump Condemns LeBron James Over National Anthem Conduct

President Donald Trump criticized NBA player LeBron James on Truth Social, calling him a "TOTAL DISGRACE" for his conduct during the national anthem. The dispute followed the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

Video from the event showed James swaying and practicing free throw motions as part of a pre-game routine while the anthem played. Trump demanded that James apologize to "Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag," claiming the athlete disrespected the country.

James, who recently joined the 76ers on a two-year $8 million contract, scored 14 points in the 106-100 victory over the Knicks. This confrontation continues a pattern of Trump attacking athletes, such as Colin Kaepernick and various NFL players, who have protested or failed to stand for the anthem.