Trump says LeBron James should apologize to the American heroes who died for the flag
Donald TrumpPresident of the United States, in a Truth Social post
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.
“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!”
Original text
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Trump says LeBron James disrespected the country by warming up during the national anthem; James calls it a slow news day
On October 22, 2026, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that LeBron James disrespects the country, calling him a 'TOTAL DISGRACE' and saying he should apologize to Americans who died for the flag. The post shared a video in which James appears to practice a golf swing and a jump shot during the national anthem before the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener at Madison Square Garden on October 20. Trump repeated the complaint at a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, that night. Asked about it after the 76ers' home opener, James said it was a slow news day at the office.
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Original text
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.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
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.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
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".
After the quotation
The AP reports that James responded, "It must be a slow news day at the office".
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why 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.
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More from this case
Read the full caseLeBron James answers Trump's criticism: 'Slow news day at the office'
“Slow news day at the office.”Read statement
At an Iowa rally, Trump says James practiced his golf swing during the anthem and calls it 'a big scandal kind of a story'
“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.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Trump says LeBron James should apologize to the American heroes who died for the flag". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/7247-in-a-truth-social-post-sharing-video-of