President Donald Trump has launched a fierce critique of LeBron James, accusing the NBA superstar of showing disrespect to the United States after video footage appeared to show him continuing his warm-up routine during the national anthem ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener.
The incident, which took place at New York’s Madison Square Garden, has quickly escalated into a prominent national talking point, reigniting a long-standing public feud between the nation’s leader and one of basketball’s most recognizable figures. The controversy unfolded just moments before tip-off, setting a tumultuous backdrop for James’s highly anticipated debut campaign with his new franchise.
Sharing the video footage on social media, President Trump expressed outrage over the player’s actions on the court. "I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE," Trump wrote in his online post. "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!"
According to the broadcast and video evidence from the arena, James appeared to practice a golf swing and take a jump shot while "The Star-Spangled Banner" played across the arena’s public address system. The 41-year-old forward, beginning his first season with Philadelphia, stood alongside his new teammates, the majority of whom remained still and attentive during the traditional pre-game ceremony. Earlier in the sequence, James had stood with his arms behind his back and his head bowed as R&B vocal group Boyz II Men performed the anthem, before later being introduced to a rapturous ovation from a crowd numbering around 20,000 spectators.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in a protracted history of public friction between Trump and James, who have traded political and personal swipes intermittently since the president’s first term in office. Rather than engaging directly with the commander-in-chief’s remarks immediately following the game, James brushed off the controversy as the Sixers celebrated a thrilling victory. "It must be a slow news day at the office," James remarked after Philadelphia completed an epic comeback to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114–106. "Slow news day at the office."
Inside the Philadelphia 76ers organization, head coach Nick Nurse had spent the days leading up to the fixture continually emphasizing the necessity for his players to tune out outside distractions. However, just hours before the team’s home opener, the franchise found itself thrust directly into a high-profile political firestorm orchestrated from Washington.
Speaking to reporters prior to the game, Nurse addressed the media circus surrounding his star player with characteristic pragmatism. "I think that goes right in with other outside noise we’ve already had," Nurse told the press corps. "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."
The controversy did not fade with the final whistle of game night. Two days later, while speaking at a high-energy campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, President Trump returned to the topic, reiterating his grievances to an audience of supporters. "And what about LeBron James? Did you see that deal?" Trump asked the cheering crowd. "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
While the pre-game ceremonies and political commentary dominated media headlines, the actual basketball game delivered an unforgettable spectacle on the court. Tyrese Maxey poured in 32 points and star center Joel Embiid added 24 to help LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers orchestrate a stunning turnaround, wiping out a daunting 29-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114–106 on Thursday night. The remarkable rescue act marked Philadelphia’s largest home-opener comeback victory since 1997.
James finished the contest with 17 points and 10 rebounds, securing the biggest comeback victory of his illustrious career. Meanwhile, fellow offseason newcomer Jaylen Brown chipped in with 21 points in a performance that will likely stand as one of the defining highlights of the Sixers’ season. Philadelphia had already opened the new campaign with statement victories over both the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks and Eastern Conference finalists Cleveland Cavaliers, though this latest win required an extraordinary display of resilience.
The contest proved to be a physical, emotionally charged affair from the opening tip. Tensions nearly boiled over entirely in the fourth quarter when Maxey and his former Philadelphia teammate, James Harden, went nose-to-nose during a heated sequence before being quickly separated by officials and fellow players. Maxey proved relentless on the defensive end of the floor, sparking a decisive 15-0 run that completely shifted the momentum of the game and left the Cavaliers desperately searching for tactical answers. Donovan Mitchell led the scoring charge for Cleveland with 32 points, but his efforts ultimately went unrewarded.
The path that brought James to Philadelphia was one of the most talked-about storylines of the NBA off-season. The veteran forward had flirted heavily with the possibility of returning for a third stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers before ultimately deciding to sign a two-year contract with the Sixers for the veteran minimum. Having previously secured one of his four career NBA championships during his tenure in Cleveland, James arrived in Pennsylvania with the explicit ambition of capturing a fifth championship ring.
The hype surrounding the franchise ahead of the home opener was palpable. Tickets listed on secondary ticket markets soared to around $4,000 for seats in the lower bowl, reflecting intense local demand. The early-season victory over the Knicks had already cranked up local enthusiasm to a fever pitch, offering fans their first live look at the newly formed partnership between James and Brown.
Despite the historic finish, the game was far from straightforward for the home side. The 41-year-old James had his moments of brilliance, igniting the roaring crowd in the first half with an uncontested two-handed dunk before converting another transition basket following a steal by Maxey. However, the Sixers struggled mightily from long range during the opening half, missing 11 of their 15 attempts from beyond the three-point arc. Compounding their shooting woes, Philadelphia committed 14 turnovers in the first two quarters alone—surpassing the 12 total turnovers they recorded across their entire victory against the Knicks. The home crowd’s frustration was palpable, echoing through the arena with a chorus of boos late in the second quarter.
Driven by Mitchell’s 22 first-half points, the Cavaliers capitalized on Philadelphia’s sloppiness to build a commanding 29-point advantage. Yet that seemingly insurmountable lead evaporated entirely during a dramatic fourth-quarter collapse. Embiid ignited the rally by scoring seven consecutive points to narrow the deficit to 96–95. Philadelphia then managed to lock down defensively, protecting their slender lead all the way through to the final buzzer to cap off a historic and unforgettable evening of basketball.