The LeBron James national anthem row produced a presidential attack, a viral video and, eventually, an eight-word response. Asked about President Donald Trump’s criticism after Philadelphia beat Cleveland on October 22, James smirked and said: “It must be a slow news day at the office. Slow news day at the office.”
That was the full rebuttal. No apology followed, despite Trump demanding one on Truth Social and later repeating his complaint at a campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa.
The dispute began during Philadelphia’s October 20 season opener against the New York Knicks. Video showed James making shooting and lateral swinging motions while the anthem was being performed. One widely shared caption described him as working on his golf swing, which gave the footage a firm interpretation before James had explained anything. The internet does enjoy completing unfinished paperwork.
What the video actually showed
News organizations used more cautious language than Trump. The Associated Press said James appeared to practice a golf swing and jump shot, while ABC News described the movements as “apparent stretches.” Reuters, AFP and The Guardian also reported the gestures but did not establish James’s intent.
Trump was less restrained. He called James “no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE” and demanded that the NBA star apologise to US service members who died defending the country. At the Iowa rally, Trump told supporters: “During the national anthem he’s practicing his golf swing … It’s a big scandal kind of a story.”
Before Philadelphia’s home opener two days later, James took a noticeably different posture. As Boyz II Men performed the anthem, he stood still with his arms behind his back and his head bowed. USA Today likewise reported that he was “more stationary” than he had been during the earlier ceremony.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse dismissed the episode as “outside noise,” saying the team’s focus and intent had been “outstanding.” No further escalation was reported after James’s brief response.
The game supplied the more concrete milestone
The argument largely overshadowed what James did on the court. The 41-year-old recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals as the 76ers erased a 29-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-106.
It was Philadelphia’s largest comeback of the play-by-play era and the biggest comeback victory of James’s career. Tyrese Maxey led the scoring with 32 points.
James is beginning a record-extending 24th NBA season and his first with Philadelphia. His history with Trump is nearly as established. In 2017, James called him “a bum,” and in 2018 he rejected Fox News host Laura Ingraham’s instruction that he should “shut up and dribble.”
This latest collision followed the familiar pattern: unclear footage became a political certainty, Trump demanded contrition, and James declined to provide the extended public argument everyone had ordered for him.
