LeBron James Taunts Trump Over National Anthem Meltdown
He might only be half the president’s age, but the NBA legend refuses to get caught up in the name-calling.
NBA star LeBron James has delivered a brutally dismissive burn to Donald Trump.
The president accused the Philadelphia 76ers forward of disrespecting the U.S. after he appeared to practice his basketball shots and golf swing as the national anthem played at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!” Trump fumed on Truth Social. “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.”
Trump has been locked in a sour war of words with James since 2017.
Nathan Howard/REUTERS
“Yeah, yeah,” LeBron said when reporters finally caught up with him to ask how he felt about Trump taking shots at him. “Slow news day at the office, you know? Slow news day in the office.”
LeBron was making his 76ers debut on the opening night of the new NBA season, as they clashed with the newly crowned champions, the New York Knicks. Philadelphia won out 106-100.
Sign Up for The Swamp Newsletter
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
“And what about LeBron James? Did you see that deal?” Trump said, following up on his original Truth Social comments at a rally in Iowa on Thursday to boos from the crowd, according to NBC10.
LeBron scored 14 points on his 76ers debut.
Brad Penner/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“He’s doing the national anthem—he’s practicing his golf swing. He’s practicing—‘I said, what the hell is that?’ No. It’s a big scandal kind of a story. What’s that all about? I don’t understand it.”
The feud between Trump, 80, and James, 41, started in 2017.
During Trump’s first term, Golden State Warriors’ legendary point guard Steph Curry was asked whether he would go to the White House after his team’s championship victory. It was a period of near-total duopoly, when Curry’s Warriors and James’s Cleveland Cavaliers occupied nine of the 10 possible Championship final spots across five seasons.
LeBron attended the White House in 2014, but later said Trump had put him off going.
Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
“U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going!” LeBron said following Curry’s hesitation in 2017. “So therefore ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
The following year James also said he would “never sit across” from Trump and accused him of giving racists “an opportunity to be out and outspoken without fear,” the BBC reports.
Trump clearly didn’t take it well, and since then has rarely missed an opportunity to take shots at the former L.A. Lakers man.
Trump received flak for going to a Knicks playoff game last season.
Geoff Burke/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Michael Jordan is a guy that’s a friend of mine,” Trump said in response to a question from the press asking him to pick between James and fellow NBA legend Michael Jordan.
“I play golf with him. He’s a really good guy… I think LeBron is, maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump… I only like people who like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in or create an account
Login dialog
Loading comments…