Photo credit: TicTok/President Donald Trump, Ski @eaglesbetter5
LeBron James isn’t letting President Donald Trump’s latest criticism dictate his response. After Trump blasted the NBA star over his movements during the national anthem, James brushed off the controversy with a pointed remark following the Philadelphia 76ers’ win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The exchange followed a public attack from Trump, who criticized James after video showed him appearing to practice golf-swing movements during the national anthem at a game earlier in the week.
LeBron James responds to Trump’s criticism
James was asked about Trump’s comments after Philadelphia defeated Cleveland 114-106 on Thursday night. Rather than launch into a lengthy response, the basketball star smirked and dismissed the uproar as a slow news day.
His brief answer offered little indication that he intended to engage in a prolonged public back-and-forth with the president.
However, the exchange came after Trump made his displeasure clear on Truth Social, where he criticized James’ behavior during the anthem and demanded an apology to American service members who died defending the country.
Instead of taking accountability for disrespecting America with his antics in the season opener, LeBron tried ridiculing President Trump for calling him out…
“Slow news day at the office, you know.”
MJ didn’t divide people politically like LeBron has.
(🎥: NBC Sports Philadelphia)
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) October 23, 2026
Why Trump criticized LeBron James
The controversy began during the 76ers’ season opener against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. James was seen making movements that appeared similar to practicing a golf swing while the national anthem played.
Trump reacted angrily to the footage, calling James a disgrace and arguing that his actions showed disrespect toward the country and its military heroes.
The president also revisited the issue during a campaign stop in Iowa on Thursday, questioning why the NBA star would practice his golf swing during the anthem.
James has not offered a detailed public response to Trump’s criticism in the material provided. His brief comment after Thursday’s game was his clearest reported reaction to the president’s social media post.
The controversy follows James to Philadelphia
The incident has drawn attention beyond the basketball court, putting James at the center of a public dispute involving the president and a prominent professional athlete.
The timing also coincides with James’ appearance in Philadelphia’s lineup. The 76ers defeated Cleveland by eight points on Thursday night, but questions about the anthem incident followed the game.
For now, James appears content to keep his response short rather than fuel a longer exchange. Trump, meanwhile, has made his position clear and publicly called for an apology.
Whether the dispute continues remains to be seen. For the moment, James has offered a dismissive response rather than the apology Trump demanded.
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