Donald Trump criticizes LeBron James’s gestures during the U.S. national anthem

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized NBA superstar LeBron James on Thursday, accusing him of showing disrespect toward the country during the playing of the national anthem at a recent basketball game.

Trump posted a video on the Truth Social platform showing James alongside players from the Philadelphia 76ers. In the footage, the basketball player swings his arms and performs warm-up movements while the U.S. national anthem is played. The president called on James to apologize to the veterans and American heroes who died for the flag and the values it represents.

The criticism is part of Trump’s long-running conflict with athletes who protest or fail to adopt an attitude considered sufficiently solemn during the anthem. The president has repeatedly condemned such gestures, particularly after the kneeling protests initiated by former NFL player Colin Kaepernick in solidarity with the fight for racial justice.

In 2018, Trump canceled a White House visit by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Super Bowl champions, after the players declined a request for all team members to stand during the anthem. LeBron James has since become one of the prominent voices of the Black Lives Matter movement and has publicly supported progressive causes.