According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on October 23, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that basketball star LeBron James not maintaining a standing position while playing the national anthem was an act of disrespect towards the United States.
James currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers. During the pre-game ceremony when the team performed the national anthem before their season-opening game against the New York Knicks on the 20th, it seemed like he was making movements similar to those used in golf swings and basketball shots.
"While we were listening to our national anthem, LeBron James disrespected our country!" Trump posted on social media.
At Madison Square Garden in New York, while a performer was singing "The Stars and Stripes Forever," it can be seen in the video that James made a golf swing gesture.
"I said from the very beginning, he cannot do it, a complete and utter disgrace," Trump added. "LeBron James should apologize to all those great American soldiers and heroes who gave their lives for the American flag, and everything that our country stands for!"
It is reported that the U.S. national anthem is played or sung before most American professional sports events. Players and spectators should stand as much as possible to avoid walking around. This tradition has also been a focus of political controversy. In 2016, former American football player Colin Kaepernick sat down during the national anthem, later kneeling on one knee in protest against American police violence and racism.
There has been long-standing discord between the president and James. Since the 2016 presidential elections, James has publicly supported Trump’s political opponents or helped them in their campaigns.
In 2018, James said he would “never sit face-to-face with Trump,” and Trump later implied that James was “not smart.”
In the same year, James accused Trump of giving racists "a fearless opportunity to stand up and speak openly."
He also said that Trump's remarks led to an incident in 2021 where a group of people attacked the U.S. Capitol and tried to prevent the certification of the 2020 election results. Former U.S. President Joe Biden won that election, and James expressed his support for him.
In July of this year, when asked to choose the greatest player in basketball history between James and Michael Jordan, Trump said he preferred Jordan. “I only like those who like me,” Trump said.
The BBC reported that James, 41 years old, is the NBA player with the highest scoring record, having scored more than 40,000 points. He had a long career, and every team he played for won an NBA championship.
In July this year, he signed a two-year contract with Philadelphia. It is generally expected that this will be his last contract as a professional player.
