Donald Trump Demands Apology from LeBron James Over National Anthem Incident
President Donald Trump demanded an apology from LeBron James after accusing the Philadelphia 76ers forward of disrespecting the United States during the national anthem at an Oct. 20 game against the New York Knicks, according to USA Today.
The incident occurred ahead of the season-opening matchup. While his teammates stood still with their heads down or watched the singer, James moved his arms in a golf swing motion and mimicked a basketball shot. Trump lashed out in an Oct. 22 post on Truth Social, featuring a video clip of the sequence.
While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!
Trump wrote in the post, as cited by USA Today. 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!
Political Timing and Past Clashes Between Trump and James
The public rebuke arrives less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm election, touching on a familiar political theme for Trump. During his first term, the president frequently criticized NFL players and other Black athletes for kneeling during the anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. James, who entered his 24th NBA season this year and his first with the 76ers after eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers, campaigned for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 and backed Trump’s subsequent Democratic opponents.
The rivalry between the two figures spans years. In 2018, James criticized Trump in a CNN interview with Don Lemon, accusing the president of using sports to divide people. Trump fired back on social media, insulting Lemon and disparaging James.
The disputes also extend to debates over basketball legacies. Speaking in the Oval Office in July, Trump suggested James could be racist
while praising Michael Jordan as his superior. Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine. Play golf with him. He’s a really good guy,
Trump said, according to USA Today. I think LeBron is – maybe he’s a racist. Maybe he doesn’t like Trump. But I only like people that like me. So I would say Michael Jordan all the way.
James Helps 76ers Beat Knicks as Apology Demand Looms
On the court, James contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists to help the 76ers secure a 106-100 victory over the Knicks. Neither James nor the Philadelphia 76ers organization immediately issued a public statement responding to Trump’s demand for an apology as the midterm elections approached.
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