You don’t have to follow Truth Social to learn about the latest rants and raves from President Trump. The news finds you.
Such was the case on Thursday, Oct. 22, when word quickly spread how Trump used his favorite platform to criticize NBA superstar LeBron James for what he called disrespectful behavior during the singing of the national anthem at a recent NBA game.
Specifically, Trump attacked James for not standing still during the anthem before the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener against the defending world champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
"While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country," Trump said in a Truth Social post, which included a video showing James practicing
his golf swing and working on his jump-shot form. “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, and all that our Country stands for!"
It’s not the first time Trump has criticized James, and it probably won’t be the last time, either. Trump has attacked James on multiple occasions, including this summer when he said James “might be a racist” for speaking out on social justice issues.
James isn’t the only athlete who has become a target of Trump’s disdain. The president has berated other sports figures, especially those who either do not stand or participate in the national anthem before sporting events.
He famously attacked former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for anthem protests a decade ago and criticized athletes who spoke out on racial bias after the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
No matter how a person feels about the proper etiquette one should use during the national anthem, it’s a personal choice and not a prerequisite anyone should be able to mandate, including the president of the United States.
Personally, I always stand during the national anthem, but I also believe strongly in what the anthem and the American Flag mostly represent to me: The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic .Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM) and every Thursday on the Doug Franz Unplugged podcast via Apple or Spotify.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: President Trump rips LeBron about national anthem, 'total disgrace'
