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Trump Demands LeBron James Apologize for National Anthem Behavior
· Confirmed
In Short: President Donald Trump called on NBA star LeBron James to apologize for his actions during the national anthem at a recent game.
President Donald Trump called on NBA star LeBron James to apologize Thursday after video showed the Philadelphia 76ers star moving his arms and practicing shooting motions during the national anthem before the team's season opener against the New York Knicks.
In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump shared a video showing James moving his body while the anthem was performed, calling it disrespectful behavior.
James and the 76ers erased a 29-point deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 114–106, the franchise where his career began.
Trump's criticism of James is not new. In 2017, James called Trump “U bum” after the president pulled the Golden State Warriors’ White House invitation.
In 2020, video showed James waving his hands as if conducting an orchestra during the anthem at a Super Bowl watch party, while those around him stood with their hands over their hearts.
James responded to Trump's criticism by saying, “Nothing’s changed with me. I’m still innocent. I’m still not afraid of these people, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.”
The president's focus on James during the national anthem has drawn criticism from supporters of the NBA star.
“I’d say dodging the draft is more disrespectful to the country,” one person wrote.
“Trump’s watching LeBron more closely than his own intelligence briefings, again. Priorities!” another person commented.
James has been a vocal critic of Trump in the past, and the president has repeatedly called him a “total disgrace.”
What this adds
James Comey, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is facing criminal charges for the third time, but this information is unrelated to the current story about LeBron James and the national anthem.
Background
President Donald Trump called on NBA star LeBron James to apologize for his actions during the national anthem at a recent game.
LeBron James finally broke his silence regarding criticism from President Donald Trump, who called out his behavior during the national anthem ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden earlier in the week.
What's confirmed
- In 2017, James called Trump “U bum” after the president pulled the Golden State Warriors’ White House invitation.
- “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,” he wrote.
- “I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” Trump said of James in a social media post sharing the video.
- In discussing their phone call, James said he and Irving have a good relationship, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic : Irving’s call was to seek advice on leadership and apologize for his behavior as a young player who wanted everything in an instant.
- The video showed James standing with his Philadelphia 76ers teammates before Tuesday’s season opener against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
- MORE : These childhood best friends are driving from Philly to Niagara Falls in toy cars "Yeah, yeah, must be a slow news day at the office," he said with a grin.
- “Nothing’s changed with me. I’m still innocent. I’m still not afraid of these people, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary,” he said.
What's still developing
- In July, on the same day James announced he was signing with Philadelphia, Trump was asked in the Oval Office whether James or Michael Jordan was the greatest of all time.
- ‘The Game Will Go On’: LeBron James Responds to Trump Saying That He’s Disgusted By NBA Players Kneeling for the National Anthem ‘This Is Wild’: Trump’s NBA Appearance Sparks Devastating Domino Effect for Knicks Fans Eager to Celebrate, and One New Change Has Them Furious On Thursday, the president demanded a public apology over a few seconds of pregame footage most people in the building probably never noticed.
- While it’s hardly an illegal act by LeBron, it suggests that he may not be entirely supportive of the way this country is going right now, and it would align with everything he’s said in the past.
- "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.
- The WNBA found itself back in the crosshairs during the Finals after both Atlanta and Golden State skipped the national anthem, heading straight down the tunnel instead.
- “I said right from the beginning that he’s no good,” Trump said of the NBA superstar Natasha Dye is a Writer-Reporter for PEOPLE covering sports.
- Watch: "I'm still innocent" - James Comey responds to new charges Federal prosecutors have taken steps to charge ex-Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey with leaking national defence information, according to a court filing.
- James Comey, the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is facing criminal charges for the third time, with federal prosecutors alleging he leaked national defense information while serving as the nation's top law enforcement official.
- Instead, the Rev. Chad Ripperger will use his “one-year fast” to devote himself to the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, the semi-contemplative religious community he founded and the people it serves, the archdiocese announced in a Monday statement.
- James Comey says he is innocent and will fight allegations that he willfully communicated national defense information during a 2016 incident, calling the Justice Department’s action an "appalling abuse." (Credit: Comey via Instagram) The Justice Department filed a criminal information against former FBI Director James Comey over allegations that he willfully communicated national defense information to an unauthorized person in connection with an alleged 2016 disclosure.
- Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, September 8.
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