LeBron James: Donald Trump accuses Philadelphia 76ers star of disrespecting US national anthem before NBA season opener
President Donald Trump accused NBA star LeBron James of disrespecting the US during Philadelphia’s opener against the New York Knicks, prompting James to hit back on Thursday, calling it a “slow news day in the office”
Friday 23 October 2026 08:30, UK
Donald Trump lashed out at NBA superstar LeBron James on Thursday for what he called disrespectful behaviour during the playing of the national anthem.
Trump shared a video on Truth Social of LeBron James appearing to practise a golf swing and take a jump shot during the national anthem before Philadelphia's season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
"While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!" Trump wrote, branding the NBA star a "TOTAL DISGRACE" and demanding he apologise to US military personnel who died serving their country.
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Trump and James have been critical of each other for years, occasionally trading public swipes.
"It must be a slow news day at the office," he said after the Sixers completed an epic comeback to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 in Philadelphia. "Slow news day at the office."
James stood with his arms behind his back and head bowed as Boyz II Men performed the national anthem before tip-off. He was then introduced to a rapturous ovation from the crowd of around 20,000.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse had repeatedly stressed the importance of tuning out outside distractions since training camp began. However, just hours before Philadelphia's home opener, the team found itself dealing with one from the president.
"I think that goes right in with other outside noise we've already had," Nurse said before the game. "I keep saying the same thing. All I really care about is getting to the practice floor, getting them in the film room, getting them to the game floor. The focus that they've had and the intent and all the stuff like that has been outstanding."
Trump, speaking Thursday night at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, reiterated his complaint.
"And what about LeBron James? Did you see that deal?" Trump said. '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."
Sixers record biggest comeback of LeBron's career
Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points and Joel Embiid had 24 to help LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers wipe out a 29-point deficit in their home opener for their biggest comeback since 1997 and stun the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106 on Tuesday night.
James finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the biggest comeback victory of his career, while fellow newcomer Jaylen Brown added 21 points in a game that could prove difficult for the Sixers to surpass this season. Philadelphia had opened the campaign with wins over the NBA champion Knicks and Eastern Conference finalists Cavaliers.
The Sixers refused to go down without a fight and tensions nearly boiled over in the fourth quarter when Maxey and his former Philadelphia teammate James Harden went nose-to-nose before being separated. Maxey was relentless on defence and sparked a 15-0 run that put the Sixers in front, leaving the Cavaliers searching for answers.
Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points for the Cavs in their season opener.
James flirted in free agency with a third stint in Cleveland before he signed a two-year deal with the Sixers for the veteran minimum.
He won one of his four NBA titles with the Cavaliers and is trying to add a fifth ring in Philadelphia. The hype for the home opener was real, with tickets listed on secondary markets for around $4,000 (£2,987) in the lower bowl. The win against the Knicks only cranked up the enthusiasm for the first look in Philly at James and Brown - and they responded with an opener to remember.
The 41-year-old James had his moments, igniting the crowd with an uncontested two-handed dunk in the first half before adding another basket off a Maxey steal.
However, the Sixers struggled from beyond the arc, missing 11 of their 15 three-point attempts, while committing 14 turnovers in the first half - compared with just 12 across their entire win over the Knicks. The home crowd responded with a chorus of boos late in the second quarter.
Mitchell led the way with 22 points in the first half as the Cavaliers built a 29-point advantage. But that lead evaporated in the fourth quarter, with Embiid scoring seven consecutive points to cut the deficit to 96-95. Philadelphia then held on to the lead until the final buzzer to complete a historic comeback victory.
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