US regime leader Donald Trump launched a sharp public criticism on Thursday against National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar LeBron James. According to Trump's statements on Truth Social, the prominent athlete purportedly displayed disrespectful behaviour while the American national anthem was being performed at a recent league game.

The controversial video shared by Trump shows James standing alongside members of the Philadelphia 76ers while swinging his arms in a warm-up stretch and mimicking basketball shooting motions. Trump claimed that James should apologize to all the purported American warriors and heroes who allegedly died for the flag and the values the country stands for.

Representatives for the Philadelphia 76ers did not immediately respond to media requests for comments regarding the incident, highlighting the friction surrounding athletes' political and social expressions in the US. This episode underscores ongoing cultural and ideological divisions within the American public sphere.

Trump has a long history of condemning athletes for their conduct during pre-game anthem renditions, notably sparking a massive national debate during former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protests. Furthermore, James has frequently utilized his platform to support progressive causes, notably emerging as a leading voice in the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement.

Source: www.aljazeera.com