Recorded 24 October 2026 at 07:40 UTC

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Trump Criticizes LeBron James Over National Anthem Stance

President Donald Trump criticized NBA player LeBron James for appearing to stretch during the US national anthem before his Philadelphia 76ers debut. Trump called James a "total disgrace" for "disrespecting" the anthem. James responded by trolling Trump on social media, according to reports. The footage went viral after the 76ers' season-opening victory over the New York Knicks.

Coverage from 3 publishers 3 source reports

ABC NewsAl JazeeraDaily Mail

Update summary

What changed in this update

NBA superstar LeBron James criticised by US President ⁠Donald ⁠Trump for disrespctful behaviour during national anthem.

Event intelligence

Trump-LeBron James national anthem dispute

2 connected story threads

Current state

LeBron James has shrugged off President Donald Trump's criticism over his apparent national-anthem stretching and played in the Philadelphia 76ers' 114-106 comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Grounded in 4 reports across 4 sources

In this event LeBron shrugs off Trump blast in home debut win for Philadelphia 76ers Earlier coverage

Source coverage

Source reports

ABC News Published 23 October 2026

Trump slams LeBron James over apparent national anthem stretches

Daily Mail Published 23 October 2026

LeBron James trolls Donald Trump after president branded NBA icon a 'total disgrace' for 'disrespecting' the national anthem

Earlier this week, footage of the Philadelphia 76ers star quickly went viral after their victory over the NBA champion New York Knicks on the first day of the new season.

Al Jazeera Published 22 October 2026

Trump slams NBA star LeBron James for disrespecting US national anthem

NBA superstar LeBron James criticised by US President ⁠Donald ⁠Trump for disrespctful behaviour during national anthem.

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