Trump criticizes LeBron James as ‘disgrace’ over national anthem

President Trump attacked NBA superstar LeBron James for not standing still during the National Anthem before the Philadelphia 76ers season opener at Madison Square Garden this week.

“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social of James, who cameras at the game showed swaying back in forth and practicing his free throw motion in an apparent attempt to get loose before his Sixers debut against the New York Knicks.

“I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” the president wrote of the four-time NBA champion. “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!”

Trump has attacked James on a number of occasions, most recently this summer saying he “might be a racist” for speaking out on social justice issues in the past.

The president has a history of attacking athletes who either do not stand for or participate in the national anthem before sporting events.

He famously berated former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for anthem protests in 2016 and criticized athletes who spoke out on racial bias after the killing of George Floyd.

James, one of the most accomplished players in NBA history, joined the 76ers this summer on a two-year $8 million deal. He scored 14 points in Philadelphia’s win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday.