Trump Criticizes LeBron James’ Warm-Up Movements Before 76ers-Knicks Opener
President Donald Trump publicly criticized Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James for his warm-up movements during the national anthem prior to the team's season-opening game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Philadelphia, PA, October 22, 2026 —
President Donald Trump publicly criticized LeBron James over the basketball star’s warm-up movements during the national anthem before a season-opening game between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The criticism took place before the game, according to the available account. It identifies James as a Philadelphia 76ers star and says the team was facing the Knicks, but provides no date for the season opener or further details about the circumstances surrounding Trump’s remarks.
The account does not include Trump’s exact words, explain which specific movements he criticized, or say where or when he made the comments. It also does not provide a response from James, either team or the NBA. Without those details, the scope and context of the public criticism cannot be established from the information available.
The reported incident centers on an athlete’s conduct during the national anthem and a public criticism by the president. The summary does not indicate whether the remarks concerned a particular gesture or action, nor does it describe any reaction at the arena or any subsequent developments.
Further details—including the date, the wording of Trump’s criticism and any response from James or the teams—were not provided in the account. The available information therefore establishes only that Trump publicly criticized James’s warm-up movements before the 76ers’ season opener against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Story summarized from the original created by Nick Kariuki on billypenn.com, see more information here.
