Donald Trump revives feud with LeBron James over US national anthem

US president Donald Trump has accused basketball star LeBron James of insulting the country after James appeared not to stand still during the national anthem.

James, who currently plays for Philadelphia 76ers, appeared to mimic the movement of a golf swing and made gestures resembling basketball shots while the anthem was played before his side’s season opener against New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Trump criticised James in a post on his Truth Social account, writing: “During the national anthem, LeBron James is insulting our country! I said from the beginning that he is a bad guy, a disgrace in every sense of the word.”

He added: “LeBron James should apologise to all the great American warriors and heroes who sacrificed their lives for the American flag, and for everything our country represents!”

James has not responded to Trump’s latest comments. However, the president and the player have previously criticised one another on several occasions.

Dispute over the anthem

The US national anthem is played or performed live at the beginning of most professional sports matches. Players and spectators are generally expected to stand still while it is being played, where possible, with some people also singing along.

That practice has become a source of political controversy in the United States over the past decade.

In 2016, former American football player Colin Kaepernick initially sat and later took a knee during the anthem as a protest against police violence and racism in the US.

Trump strongly criticised Kaepernick at the time and later claimed credit for the player not finding another team with which to continue his career.

Several years later, however, Trump softened his position, saying Kaepernick should be given “another chance” to play in the National Football League.

Trump and James also clashed in 2018. The president suggested the basketball player was not intelligent after James said he would “never sit across from” Trump.

That same year, James, who supported former president Joe Biden, said Trump had given racists “an opportunity to appear and speak loudly without fear”.