Trump calls Lebron James a 'total disgrace' over conduct during pre-game national anthem

Lebron James swinging his arms during the national anthem.

President Trump on Thursday called on Lebron James to apologize for his conduct during the national anthem prior to his team's season opener against The New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden this week, calling the star player's conduct "a TOTAL DISGRACE."

James made his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers in the game, after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Sixers defeating the defending NBA champs 106-100.

"While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!" Trump said Thursday in a post on Truth Social that included a video clip showing what James was doing as a singer performed the Star Spangled Banner. "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!"

As the national anthem was performed Tuesday night at the Garden, James could be seen practicing his shooting form and swinging his arms in a manner that caused some to speculate if he was practicing his golf swing. James was then seen shaking his feet and looking particularly uninterested while the rest of his teammates stood at attention. James exhibited similar behavior last year during a nationally televised game on Christmas Day. The 41-year-old, now in his 24th NBA season, has behaved similarly at various times going all the way back to 2019. 

There's no love lost between Trump and James, who have both publicly criticized one another in the past.

As Outkick pointed out, Trump once said, "Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine, play golf with him. He's a really good guy. And I think LeBron is, maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump, I don't know. But I only like people that like me. So, I would say Michael Jordan all the way," after being asked who was the NBA's all-time greatest player. 

James has publicly called Trump "a bum."

Meanwhile, the NBA's sister league, the WNBA, has had its own issues with players disrespecting the national anthem, with entire teams running back to the locker room during performances of the national anthem. 

Below, watch video of Lebron James during the national anthem on Tuesday.