US President Donald Trump has accused basketball star LeBron James of disrespecting the country after he appeared to move around while the national anthem was performed before an NBA season-opening game.
James, who now plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, appeared to practise a golf swing and basketball shots as the Star-Spangled Banner was performed before Tuesday’s match against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!” Trump wrote on social media.
“LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag.”
James has not responded to Trump’s latest remarks. The BBC said it had contacted James through the 76ers for comment and had also approached the team.
In a video of the incident, James can be seen making a golf-swing motion while a performer sings the national anthem. His teammates, who are lined up beside him on the court, mostly remain standing with little movement.
“I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” Trump added, referring to James.
National anthem becomes political flashpoint
The US national anthem is played or performed before most professional sporting events. Players and spectators are generally expected to stand, if able, and refrain from moving around during the performance. Some also sing along.
The tradition has previously become a focus of political controversy.
In 2016, former American football player Colin Kaepernick initially sat and later knelt during the national anthem to protest against police brutality and racism in the United States.
Trump criticised Kaepernick and later took credit for the athlete’s inability to find another team. Years later, however, Trump softened his stance, saying Kaepernick should “get another shot” at playing in the National Football League.
Trump and James have a history of clashes
Trump and James have had a longstanding public feud, with the basketball star endorsing or campaigning for Trump’s political opponents since the 2016 presidential election.
In 2018, Trump questioned James’ intelligence after the athlete said he “would never sit across” from him.
That same year, James accused Trump of giving racists “an opportunity to be out and outspoken without fear”.
James also suggested that Trump’s rhetoric contributed to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by a mob seeking to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election result. Trump lost that election to Joe Biden, whom James had endorsed.
In July, Trump was asked to choose between James and Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time. He said he preferred Jordan.
“I only like people that like me,” Trump said.
James, 41, is the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer, with more than 40,000 points. He has won an NBA championship with every team he has played for.
In July, he signed a two-year contract with Philadelphia, which is widely expected to be his final contract as a professional player.
