{"id":2690233,"date":"2026-10-23T13:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T17:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lebron-james-dismisses-trump-criticism-over-his-disrespectful-national-anthem-antics\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T13:40:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T17:40:00","slug":"lebron-james-dismisses-trump-criticism-over-his-disrespectful-national-anthem-antics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lebron-james-dismisses-trump-criticism-over-his-disrespectful-national-anthem-antics\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James Dismisses Trump Criticism Over His Disrespectful National Anthem Antics"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flebron-james-dismisses-trump-criticism-over-his-disrespectful-national-anthem-antics%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2690233&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James brushed aside criticism from President Donald Trump over his movements during the national anthem at the team\u2019s season opener, describing Trump\u2019s remarks as a sign of a quiet news day.<\/p>\n<p>Footage from this week\u2019s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden showed James lined up with teammates while the national anthem played.<\/p>\n<p>While most of his teammates stood motionless, James could be seen going through the motions of a golf swing and practicing jump shots.<\/p>\n<p>The clip spread rapidly online.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">LeBron doing ANYTHING to disrespect the National Anthem https:\/\/t.co\/TczsaaxoLg<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 House of Lowlights (@HouseLowlights) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/HouseLowlights\/status\/2113010314937852174?\">October 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>President Trump d the video on  and wrote: \u201cWhile listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he\u2019s 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!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After the 76ers\u2019 home opener Thursday night, James offered a short reply, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/50251603\/president-trump-criticizes-lebron-james-anthem-actions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a slow news day at the office, you know,\u201d he said. \u201cSlow news day in the office.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sixers coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2026\/10\/22\/lebron-james-donald-trump-anthem\/78b1574c-ce48-11f1-ac04-9f58578a68b4_story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nick Nurse<\/a> defended James and labeled President Trump\u2019s comments \u201coutside noise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that goes right in with other outside noise we\u2019ve already had,\u201d Nurse said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI keep saying the same thing. All I really care about is getting to the practice floor, getting them in the film room, getting them to the game floor. The focus that they\u2019ve had and the intent and all the stuff like that has been outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The anthem video drew widespread reaction on social media, including commentary from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/lebron-james-gets-roasted-disrespect-national-anthem-shows-gratitude\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Western Journal<\/a>. Some users pointed to James\u2019 long career and earnings in the United States, while others argued players should be free to move during the anthem.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">LeBron James was born to a 16-year-old single mother in Akron, Ohio. He bounced between friends just to have a place to sleep. Then this country handed him everything.<\/p>\n<p>It gave him over $500 million in NBA salary and over $1 billion more in endorsements and business deals. Forbes puts his net worth at $1.4 billion. He was the first active NBA player in history to become a billionaire.<\/p>\n<p>And when the national anthem plays for the country that made all of that possible, he can\u2019t give it two minutes of respect.<\/p>\n<p>No hand over his heart. No standing still. He\u2019s goofing around, flailing his arms, flapping around, pretending to shoot a basketball, doing literally anything except honoring the flag that turned a kid from Akron into a billionaire.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not a protest. That\u2019s not a statement. That\u2019s just disrespect.<\/p>\n<p>Millions of Americans work their whole lives and never see a fraction of what this country gave him. Men and women died so he could play a game for a living in front of sold-out arenas. The least he could do is stand there and act like it means something.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MattWallace888\/status\/2113055369861959944?\">October 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\u201cThere is a 0% chance that LeBron James would do this during the Chinese national anthem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>@ClayTravis isn\u2019t holding back after video shows LeBron James appearing to practice his golf swing as the national anthem plays at Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n<p>Other players are standing for the anthem, but James appears to be going through a golf motion instead.<\/p>\n<p>Travis calls the moment disrespectful and questions whether James would behave the same way overseas.<\/p>\n<p>President Trump also weighed in on the NBA star\u2019s antics: https:\/\/t.co\/eNzeSkYYYT<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FoxNews\/status\/2113645919618883759?\">October 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">@NEWSMAX LeBron James did not intentionally set out to disrespect the national anthem, but rather was caught on camera stretching, swaying, and practicing a golf swing and free-throw motions to loosen up before the game.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 C.B (@chris20628) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/chris20628\/status\/2113414780832915808?\">October 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/> President Trump later brought up the clip at a campaign event in Iowa, describing the motions as a golf swing and calling James\u2019 episode a notable story by asking, \u201cWhat the hell is that? It\u2019s a big scandal kind of a story.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">President Trump calls out LeBron James and WNBA teams over their actions surrounding the national anthem during his Iowa rally.<\/p>\n<p>Trump criticizes WNBA teams for leaving the court before the anthem, warning that the league could hurt its growing popularity. He then turns to James, questioning video of the NBA star making golf-swing motions while the anthem plays.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s practicing his golf swing!\u201d Trump says, before questioning the controversy surrounding both incidents.<\/p>\n<p>See what sparked the criticism of James: https:\/\/t.co\/eNzeSkYYYT<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FoxNews\/status\/2113449072564596939?\">October 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">@RyanAFournier LeBron made over 1 Billion off of his talent and dedication lmaoo my humble opinion \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8 everything else is extreme exaggeration\u2026 so he was doing some jumping jacks during the national anthem big deal\u2026 everyone will have have their own way of viewing this.. completely fine<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Th3elit3on3 (@th3elit3on3) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/th3elit3on3\/status\/2113522052431012141?\">October 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/> James, 41, joined the 76ers in the offseason on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/49440164\/lebron-chooses-76ers-sign-2-year-8-million-contract\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">two-year deal<\/a> widely seen as his last contract.<\/p>\n<p>The team opened the season 2-0.<\/p>\n<p>The addition of James, who left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons there, gave Philadelphia a veteran presence alongside younger core players.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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Footage from this week\u2019s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden showed James lined up with teammates<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2690234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-10-23T121959.034.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2690233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-10-23T121959.034.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2690233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2690233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2690233\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2690234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2690233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2690233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2690233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}