Trump says LeBron James disrespected the country by warming up during the national anthem; James calls it a slow news day
Trump called LeBron James a 'TOTAL DISGRACE' who disrespects the country after a video showed him warming up during the national anthem, and said he should apologize. James answered that it was a slow news day at the office.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The video shows James, in his first season with Philadelphia, lined up with teammates before the October 20 game against the New York Knicks. According to the Associated Press, he appears to practice a golf swing and a jump shot while 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is performed, as teammates around him mostly stand still.
Trump shared the video on Truth Social at midday on October 22. He wrote that he had said from the beginning that James is 'no good' and that James should apologize to all of the 'Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag.' At a campaign rally in Sioux City that evening, he described James practicing his golf swing during the anthem and called it 'a big scandal kind of a story.'
Before the 76ers' home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers that night, coach Nick Nurse said the criticism went 'right in with other outside noise' the team had faced. AP reports that during the anthem before that game, James stood with his arms behind his back and his head bowed. After the game, a reporter asked James about Trump's comments, and he answered that it was a slow news day at the office.
Read the full background
James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, joined the 76ers for the 2026-27 season, his record 24th in the league. He and Trump have traded public criticism for years. In 2017, while playing for Cleveland, James called Trump 'a bum' on Twitter and said after a game that the country would never let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful it is.
In 2018, after Fox News host Laura Ingraham criticized his comments about social issues, James said, 'We will definitely not shut up and dribble.' The AP named him its Male Athlete of the Year in 2020, in part for persuading people who had never voted to go to the polls.
People in this case
Donald TrumpDirectly involved
LeBron JamesDirectly involved
Timeline
5 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 20, 2026 to October 22, 2026
October 2026
James appears to warm up during the anthem at the 76ers' season opener
Incident
Before the 76ers' season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, James appears to practice a golf swing and a jump shot while 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is performed, as teammates lined up beside him mostly stand still.
[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report, carried by KTTC, on Trump's post about James's conduct during the anthem, James's response after the 76ers' home opener against Cleveland on October 22, coach Nick Nurse's comments, and Trump's remarks at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, that night.
'Total disgrace': Trump blasts LeBron James for not standing still during national anthem · Associated PressArticleTrump posts that James disrespects the country
Reaction
Trump shares a video of James during the anthem on Truth Social, calls him a 'TOTAL DISGRACE' and says he should apologize to those who died for the flag.
[02]Donald Trump
Trump's Truth Social post, shared with a video of LeBron James during the national anthem before the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2026. Trump says James disrespects the country and should apologize to those who died for the flag.
Trump's Truth Social post calling LeBron James a 'TOTAL DISGRACE' over the national anthem · Donald TrumpFull post, October 22, 2026, 12:22 p.m. EDT[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report, carried by KTTC, on Trump's post about James's conduct during the anthem, James's response after the 76ers' home opener against Cleveland on October 22, coach Nick Nurse's comments, and Trump's remarks at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, that night.
'Total disgrace': Trump blasts LeBron James for not standing still during national anthem · Associated PressArticle76ers coach Nick Nurse calls the criticism outside noise
Reaction
Before the 76ers' home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Nurse says Trump's comments go 'right in with other outside noise' the team has faced and that his focus is on practice, film and games.
[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report, carried by KTTC, on Trump's post about James's conduct during the anthem, James's response after the 76ers' home opener against Cleveland on October 22, coach Nick Nurse's comments, and Trump's remarks at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, that night.
'Total disgrace': Trump blasts LeBron James for not standing still during national anthem · Associated PressArticleTrump repeats the criticism at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa
Reaction
At a campaign rally, Trump says James was practicing his golf swing during the anthem and calls it 'a big scandal kind of a story.'
[03]Associated Press
Associated Press report, carried by Denver7 (KMGH), on Trump's criticism of James's conduct during the national anthem, including Trump's remarks at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on the night of October 22, 2026.
Trump demands apology from LeBron James over national anthem warmup · Associated PressArticleJames calls the criticism a slow news day
Reaction
After the 76ers come back from 29 points down to beat Cleveland 114-106, a reporter asks James about Trump's renewed criticism, and he answers that it is a slow news day at the office.
[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report, carried by KTTC, on Trump's post about James's conduct during the anthem, James's response after the 76ers' home opener against Cleveland on October 22, coach Nick Nurse's comments, and Trump's remarks at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, that night.
'Total disgrace': Trump blasts LeBron James for not standing still during national anthem · Associated PressArticle[04]LeBron James and Joel Embiid postgame news conference after the 76ers' comeback win over the Cavaliers
Video of the 76ers' postgame news conference after the October 22, 2026, home opener, posted by PHLY Sports. At about 12:15 a reporter asks James about Trump's renewed criticism, and James answers that it is a slow news day at the office.
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 responses. Newest first.
LeBron JamesPhiladelphia 76ers forward, speaking to reporters after the team's home openerDirectly involvedBefore this statement
ABC11 reports that hours after Trump criticized him for appearing to continue his warmups during the anthem, James responded with a short answer Thursday night. The AP reports that he first said, "It must be a slow news day at the office," and then repeated the line.
"Slow news day at the office."
MinimizedCase context: Trump says LeBron James disrespected the country by warming up during the national anthem; James calls it a slow news day
Full statement and sources
Responding to Trump's criticism after the 76ers' home opener, James says it is a slow news day at the office.
After the statement
The AP reports that James had 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 114-106 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the biggest comeback win of his career, after the 76ers trailed by 29 points.
'Total disgrace': Trump blasts LeBron James for not standing still during national anthem · Associated PressArticleWhy this label?
The case concerns James's conduct during the national anthem before the 76ers' October 20 season opener, which Trump calls disrespect to the country. James answers Trump's criticism of that conduct by calling it a slow news day, which downplays its importance.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Donald TrumpPresident of the United States, at a campaign rally in Sioux City, IowaDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The AP reports that Trump, speaking Thursday night at a campaign rally in Sioux City, reiterated his complaint, beginning: "And what about LeBron James? Did you see that deal?"
"No, he’s doing, during the national anthem he’s practicing his golf swing. I said what the hell is that. It’s a big scandal kind of a story. I don’t understand it."
CondemnedCase context: Trump says LeBron James disrespected the country by warming up during the national anthem; James calls it a slow news day
Full statement and sources
Speaking at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, Trump says James was practicing his golf swing during the national anthem, says he asked what the hell that was, and calls it a big scandal kind of a story that he does not understand.
After the statement
The AP report then recounts earlier public clashes between James and Trump, including James calling Trump a bum on Twitter.
Trump demands apology from LeBron James over national anthem warmup · Associated PressArticleWhy this label?
The case concerns James's conduct during the national anthem before the 76ers' October 20 season opener, which Trump calls disrespect to the country. Trump repeats his objection to that conduct and calls it a scandal, which condemns it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
- Donald TrumpPresident of the United States, in a Truth Social postDirectly involved
Before this statement
The AP reports that James appeared to practice a golf swing and jump shot as the anthem was performed at Madison Square Garden. Earlier in the post, Trump wrote, "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!"
CondemnedCase context: Trump says LeBron James disrespected the country by warming up during the national anthem; James calls it a slow news day
Full statement and sources
In a Truth Social post sharing video of James during the national anthem, Trump says James disrespects the country, calls him a total disgrace and says he should apologize to the American warriors and heroes who died for the flag and all the country stands for.
After the statement
The AP reports that James responded, "It must be a slow news day at the office".
Trump's Truth Social post calling LeBron James a 'TOTAL DISGRACE' over the national anthem · Donald TrumpFull post, October 22, 2026, 12:22 p.m. EDT'Total disgrace': Trump blasts LeBron James for not standing still during national anthem · Associated PressArticleWhy this label?
The case concerns James's conduct during the national anthem before the 76ers' October 20 season opener, which Trump calls disrespect to the country. Trump calls that conduct disrespect, calls James a disgrace and demands an apology, which condemns it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Original text
Trump's Truth Social post calling LeBron James a 'TOTAL DISGRACE' over the national anthem
Relevant passage: Full post, October 22, 2026, 12:22 p.m. EDT
About this source
Trump's Truth Social post, shared with a video of LeBron James during the national anthem before the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2026. Trump says James disrespects the country and should apologize to those who died for the flag.
- Author
- Donald J. Trump
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
76ers' LeBron James after President Trump's anthem criticism: 'Slow news day'
Relevant passage: Article
About this source
ABC11 (WTVD) report, drawing on ESPN and AP reporting, on James's answer to Trump's criticism after the 76ers' home opener on October 22, 2026, and on coach Nick Nurse's comments before the game.
- Author
- ABC11, with information from ESPN's Dave McMenamin and the Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Trump demands apology from LeBron James over national anthem warmup
Relevant passage: Article
About this source
Associated Press report, carried by Denver7 (KMGH), on Trump's criticism of James's conduct during the national anthem, including Trump's remarks at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on the night of October 22, 2026.
- Author
- Associated Press via Scripps News Group
- Published
- Accessed
Original video
LeBron James and Joel Embiid postgame news conference after the 76ers' comeback win over the Cavaliers
About this source
Video of the 76ers' postgame news conference after the October 22, 2026, home opener, posted by PHLY Sports. At about 12:15 a reporter asks James about Trump's renewed criticism, and James answers that it is a slow news day at the office.
- Author
- PHLY Sports
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
'Total disgrace': Trump blasts LeBron James for not standing still during national anthem
Relevant passage: Article
About this source
Associated Press report, carried by KTTC, on Trump's post about James's conduct during the anthem, James's response after the 76ers' home opener against Cleveland on October 22, coach Nick Nurse's comments, and Trump's remarks at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, that night.
- Author
- Dan Gelston
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Trump says LeBron James disrespected the country by warming up during the national anthem; James calls it a slow news day
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/trump-lebron-james-national-anthem
The Dispute Index. "Trump says LeBron James disrespected the country by warming up during the national anthem; James calls it a slow news day". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/cases/trump-lebron-james-national-anthem