Trump demands apology from LeBron James over US anthem
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
Donald Trump demanded an apology from LeBron James after criticising his conduct during the US national anthem in a post on Truth Social on Thursday 22 October 2026. The basketball player had just made his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers, who beat the New York Knicks 106-100 on Tuesday, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday 22 October demanded an apology from basketball player LeBron James, whom he accused of disrespecting the national anthem during an NBA game. In a message posted on Truth Social, he described the Philadelphia Sixers player's conduct as a “total disgrace” and asked him to apologise to American soldiers who died for the flag and the country, La Nouvelle Tribune reports.
The video attached to the message shows James standing with his teammates, swinging his arms and miming shots during the anthem. The player made his official debut for Philadelphia on Tuesday, in a 106-100 victory over the New York Knicks, the defending champions.
The controversy recalls Trump's criticism of players who knelt during the anthem in August 2020, when the season resumed. The athletes said they wanted to denounce police violence and social injustice. James responded at the time that he did not think the basketball community would be saddened by the loss of audience resulting from Trump's refusal to watch the games.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
