In October 2026, LeBron James stepped onto the court for the first time with the Philadelphia 76ers, marking the beginning of his 24th NBA season. The game against the New York Knicks was a high-stakes affair. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 28 points, while James contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Despite the on-court victory, the anthem incident would soon dominate headlines.
The controversy began during the national anthem. Footage from the game showed James miming a golf swing during the anthem, a gesture that would later become the focal point of President Trump's criticism. The incident occurred at Madison Square Garden. The 76ers' victory over the Knicks, 106-100, was a fitting start to James's new chapter, but the anthem footage would overshadow the on-court performance.
I’m begging for someone in Trump’s administration to tell Trump that he needs to start calling LeBron “LeFlop”. It will win over a significant chunk of NBA Twitter, and we all know how much Trump loves to give cheeky nicknames to people he doesn’t like.
In late October, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize James. 'LeBron James disrespects our Country!' Trump posted. 'LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag.' The post was a direct response to James's actions.
Still getting my rhythm, obviously just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad.
Trump's post was clear in its condemnation. 'While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!' Trump continued. 'I said right from the beginning that he's no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE.' The president's comments were a reminder of his belief in the importance of showing respect during the national anthem.
US President Donald Trump has demanded an apology from basketball star LeBron James, accusing him of disrespecting the national anthem and calling him a “total disgrace”. Trump urged James to apologise to American servicemembers and the families of those who died serving the country. Trump’s remarks invoked the American flag and the values he said it represents. The circumstances surrounding the alleged national anthem disrespect were not specified in the statement provided. #DonaldTrump #LeBronJames #USPolitics #NBA #NationalAnthem #CNBCTV18Digital
LeBron James and the 76ers had not publicly responded to Trump's criticism at the time of publication. In a post-game interview, James noted, 'I could be a lot better. Still getting my rhythm, obviously just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad. But I like the way we played.'
The 76ers' victory over the Knicks was a significant moment in the team's season. However, the anthem incident dominated the post-game coverage. The team's focus remained on their on-court performance as they began the season.
The incident sparked a debate about respect and patriotism. The incident highlighted the complex relationship between sports and politics, and the challenges of balancing tradition and modern values.
The controversy surrounding LeBron James and the national anthem incident reflects ongoing debates about respect and patriotism in the United States. While the 76ers' victory on the court was a moment of focus, the anthem controversy sparked a wider debate. As the season progresses, the incident will continue to be a topic of discussion, reminding us of the complex interplay between sports, politics, and the values that bind a nation together.