Trump calls LeBron James a 'total disgrace' over national anthem criticism

Trump made the criticism in a social media post that shared video of the episode. He described James as a “TOTAL DISGRACE,” according to the wording reported by the South China Morning Post.

Reports said James appeared to continue warming up or otherwise remain active while the US anthem was performed before Philadelphia's season opener on Tuesday. The precise activity described in coverage varies, so the available reporting does not establish a more specific account of what he was doing.

ANSA identified the game as a meeting between Philadelphia and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York. That venue and opponent detail is attributed to ANSA; other supplied reports described the game as Philadelphia's season opener without specifying the venue.

Trump also said James should apologize to American warriors and heroes who died for the US flag, according to the South China Morning Post's account of the social media post.

The episode has brought a presidential criticism of an NBA player into a familiar dispute over conduct during the national anthem. The reporting establishes Trump's accusation and the movement during the anthem, but does not establish the exact calendar date of the game beyond identifying it as Tuesday.

Clarín reported that James had not responded at the time of its publication. No later response is confirmed in the cited reporting.