President Trump criticizes LeBron James for alleged anthem stretch
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
President Donald Trump posted a video claiming LeBron James stretched during the national anthem and called for an apology, while the NBA star has not responded.
President Donald Trump posted a video on social media on Thursday that he said showed Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James stretching while the national anthem played before his debut against the New York Knicks. The post included text that described the movement as "working on his golf swing" and accused James of disrespecting the country.
"While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!" Trump wrote.
"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!" he added.
The clip shows James performing arm stretches before mimicking a basketball shooting motion. James has not commented on the remarks, and his representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump has previously criticized James, including remarks in July suggesting the player might be "a racist" and statements comparing James to Michael Jordan. James has publicly criticized Trump in the past, saying the president does not understand the influence he has on young people.
James scored 14 points as the 76ers defeated the Knicks 106-100 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday and is scheduled to play his first home game for Philadelphia against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.