U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized NBA superstar LeBron James, alleging that the basketball star showed disrespect during the playing of the national anthem.
James, a four‑time NBA champion and one of the league’s most prominent figures, has previously been involved in discussions about player conduct and social issues, though he has not commented publicly on the president’s remarks.
Trump’s statement, made in a recent interview, described James’s actions as “disrespectful” to the anthem and to the nation, adding that such behavior should not be tolerated by public figures.
Debates over the national anthem have been a recurring feature of American sports culture, especially since 2016 when several athletes began kneeling during the anthem to protest racial injustice. The issue continues to generate strong opinions from both supporters and critics.
As of now, neither James nor representatives of the NBA have issued a response to the president’s comments.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>