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Trump Criticizes LeBron James Over National Anthem Behavior
· Confirmed
In Short: The publications agree that LeBron James's behavior during the national anthem at the Philadelphia 76ers season opener was criticized by President Donald Trump, who shared a video showing James moving his body during the anthem, calling it disrespectful behavior.
President Donald Trump criticized LeBron James on Thursday, accusing the NBA star of disrespecting the United States during the national anthem at Philadelphia's season opener on Tuesday. Trump shared a video on Truth Social showing James moving his body while the anthem was performed, calling it disrespectful behavior.
According to Breitbart, Trump wrote, 'While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country. I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE. 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.'
Espn reported that during the national anthem, James was seen performing movements that resembled pregame warm-up exercises, such as shooting motions, while standing with his Philadelphia 76ers teammates. This behavior was captured in a video that Trump shared on Truth Social.
Newsweek noted that the NBA season opener featured a doubleheader, with LeBron James's Philadelphia 76ers facing the New York Knicks, and the matchup delivered historic television viewership, averaging 6.41 million viewers on NBC/Peacock.
Sbnation reported that James showed signs of age during the game, as his 76ers needed a big fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Indiana Pacers without key players Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac.
In a separate interview with The Pat McAfee Show, NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the arrangement of James's sponsored helicopter commute from New York to Philadelphia. Silver stated, 'It’s perfectly appropriate if part of his deal is they're going to supply a helicopter to him as long as it's just a deal between the Fanatics and LeBron and no team is involved; there's no rules issue there whatsoever.'
James has been commuting between New York City and Philadelphia using a helicopter provided through his partnership with Fanatics, according to Heavy. During an interview with Espn, James said, 'I've done it before; just another way of transportation.'
Trump's criticism of James is not a new development. In 2017, James called Trump a 'bum' on social media after the White House rescinded an invitation to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, stating that visiting the nation’s capital was a great honor 'until you showed up.'
In 2018, James said, 'I won’t be silent on social issues' because he is 'more than a basketball player.' Trump's call for an apology was echoed by some social media users who criticized James's conduct during the anthem, saying he should set an example as one of the NBA’s biggest stars.
Despite the controversy, James and his wife, Savannah, recently gave a tour of their home to Espn, showcasing items such as a hyperbaric chamber and LeBron's four championship trophies. LeBron highlighted his first trophy with the Miami Heat as particularly meaningful, giving a heartwarming reason why.
While showing off a Cartier watch, LeBron and Savannah revealed that neither of them particularly enjoy receiving gifts. Savannah also talked about her collaboration with UGG boots.
Espn reported that James and Savannah showed off a heartbeat necklace which represented their family on their family couch.
What this adds
The video showed James standing with his Philadelphia 76ers teammates before Tuesday’s season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Background
President Donald Trump criticized LeBron James on Thursday, accusing the NBA star of disrespecting the United States during the national anthem at Philadelphia's season opener on Tuesday.
LeBron James led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 106-100 victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA season opener.
What's confirmed
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver says there's no issue with LeBron James' sponsored helicopter used to commute from New York to Philadelphia.
- Trump shared the footage on Truth Social and accused James of disrespecting the anthem as singer Avery Wilson performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Philadelphia’s season opener Tuesday against the New York Knicks.
- The video showed James standing with his Philadelphia 76ers teammates before Tuesday’s season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
What's still developing
- LeBron and Savannah highlighted interesting things they both own -- and they started off strong, with a hyperbaric chamber casually sitting in the corner.
- Next, the couple showed off LeBron's four championship trophies, perched proudly in front of an extremely large television set in what appears to be their living room.
- "Y'all wasn't there in Year 1, and that's why we lost."
- LeBron James calls his helicopter ride from New York to Philly a “long commute” during a gym livestream! 🚁👀 Imagine having a helicopter ride as your commute. 😂 pic.twitter.com/yykOcj1Jg9 The commute has attracted attention after flight records reportedly showed a helicopter carrying Fanatics branding completing 12 round trips between Philadelphia and New York in the previous week.
- "My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," Mbappé wrote.
- “I’m not crazy about stories focused on things happening off the floor, but I get it, journalists are doing their jobs,” Silver told McAfee.
- The Thunder made a statement to begin their season, defeating Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, 116-104, in San Antonio.
- The doubleheader became the league's "most-watched opening night ever, averaging 6.41 million viewers on NBC/Peacock," per NBA Communications.