Trump Calls for LeBron James to Apologize Over Anthem

President Donald Trump criticized LeBron James over the basketball star’s movements during the national anthem before a Philadelphia 76ers game, saying James disrespected the country and should apologize to military personnel and fallen service members. Trump made the comments in a post on Truth Social accompanied by video from the 76ers’ season opener against the New York Knicks. He wrote that James had disrespected the country and called him a “TOTAL DISGRACE,” then said he should apologize to those who died for the American flag and what the country stands for. The footage shows James standing with his teammates as the anthem played, moving his arms and stretching before making motions resembling a golf swing and a basketball shot. The video establishes what James did, but not why. It does not show whether he intended to protest or disrespect the anthem. The 76ers and James had not publicly responded to the controversy, according to one report. Trump’s demand was directed at James; no action by the team was reported. The episode drew renewed attention to the conduct of athletes during the national anthem, a subject that has prompted disputes in American sports. James has...