LeBron James brushes off Trump's national anthem criticism: 'Slow news day at the office'

LeBron James and President Donald Trump are trading words again. On Thursday, Oct. 22, Trump went after the Philadelphia 76ers star on social media over how James behaved during the national anthem before the team’s season opener, calling him a “TOTAL DISGRACE” and demanding an apology. James answered a few hours later with a shrug: “It must be a slow news day at the office.”

Here is what happened, what each side said and why the moment drew so much attention.

What did LeBron James do during the national anthem?

The anthem in question was played Tuesday, Oct. 20, before the 76ers opened their season against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. In a video Trump shared, James appeared to practice a golf swing and a jump shot while lined up with teammates, most of whom stood still, ESPN reported.

The Guardian reported that the clip carried an on-screen caption reading “LeBron working on his golf swing pregame” and showed James making lateral swinging motions and basketball shooting movements. USA Today described the moves the same way: arms moving as if taking a golf swing, plus a mimicked basketball shot.

There is no report that James knelt, sat or made a political gesture. The criticism centers on the warm-up motions themselves.

What did Trump say?

In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump wrote, according to The Guardian and ESPN:

“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE.”

He added that 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!”

Trump returned to the subject at a campaign rally in Iowa on Thursday night, calling it “a big scandal kind of a story,” The Guardian and USA Today reported.

How did LeBron James respond?

James was asked about the post after the 76ers’ home opener on Thursday night, a 114-106 comeback win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in which Philadelphia erased a 29-point deficit. He chuckled before answering, USA Today reported.

“It’s a slow news day at the office, you know,” James said, per ESPN. “Slow news day in the office.”

That was the extent of his public response. USA Today noted that James appeared more stationary during the anthem before Thursday’s game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

What did the 76ers say?

Coach Nick Nurse, speaking before Thursday’s game, treated Trump’s comments as one more distraction for a high-profile roster.

“I think that goes right in with other outside noise we’ve already had,” Nurse said, according to ESPN and The Guardian. “All I really care about is getting to the practice floor, getting them in the film room, getting them to the game floor.”

On the court, James had 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals in the win, The Guardian reported, and the 76ers moved to 2-0 in his first season with the team.

Why do Trump and LeBron James keep clashing?

The two have traded public swipes for years. ESPN recalled that in 2017, while with the Cavaliers, James wore shoes reading “equality” and called Trump “a bum” on social media. In 2018 he answered a Fox News host’s “shut up and dribble” remark by saying, “We will definitely not shut up and dribble.”

The anthem itself also has a history in Trump’s feuds with athletes. During his first term, Trump repeatedly criticized NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality, The Guardian noted.

ESPN also pointed out that Trump has faced his own anthem criticism: in 2020, the Miami Herald posted video of him appearing to conduct along with the anthem at a Super Bowl watch party.

What happens next?

There is no sign the NBA or the 76ers plan any action, and James did not offer an apology. At 41, he is playing a record-extending 24th NBA season, now with his fourth franchise, so the spotlight on him in Philadelphia is unlikely to dim soon.

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