Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-23**Lead**
LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers forward and four-time NBA champion, once again found himself at the center of a national controversy on Wednesday night when he performed a series of deliberate, golf-style hip turns during the playing of the national anthem before a preseason game. The gesture, executed just as the anthem reached its final notes, was captured by television cameras and quickly circulated across social media platforms. It was widely interpreted as a direct, non-verbal response to former President Donald Trump, who earlier this week called James's ongoing activism off the court a “total disgrace” during a rally in Iowa.
**Context**
The incident marks the latest chapter in a long-running public feud between James and Trump. The two have traded barbs since 2017, when James called Trump a “bum” on Twitter after the then-president rescinded a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors. Trump fired back, famously labeling James as “dumb” in a 2018 tweet. More recently, Trump used his platform to attack James’s outspoken advocacy on social justice issues, including his work with the More Than a Vote organization, which has registered thousands of voters in predominantly Black communities. In a speech on Monday, Trump described James’s activism as “a total disgrace to our country” and called on NBA fans to boycott the league. James did not respond publicly to the remarks until the anthem moment, which he later downplayed as an innocent habit from practicing his golf swing. However, multiple analysts and fans saw the timing as too coincidental. Video replays show James shifting his weight, rotating his hips, and subtly mimicking a golfer’s follow-through as the anthem concluded—while other players stood still with hands over their hearts. The NBA has not commented on the action, but league rules state that players “shall stand respectfully” during the anthem, though enforcement has varied in recent years.
**Analysis**
This gesture, whether spontaneous or calculated, underscores the widening cultural and political chasm between professional athletes and conservative political figures. For James, who has become one of the most influential voices in sports, the golf hip turns represent a continuation of a tradition of athlete-led protest that dates back to Muhammad Ali, John Carlos, and Tommie Smith. More recently, Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the anthem sparked a nationwide debate on patriotism and police brutality. James’s choice to use a subtle, almost humorous movement—rather than a conspicuous kneel—may indicate a strategic shift in how players express dissent without inviting immediate penalties or backlash. It is a form of protest that is deniable but still visible, allowing James to claim it was merely a golf habit while sending a clear signal to his critics. The timing of Trump’s attack and James’s response also highlights how the former president continues to leverage sports as a cultural battleground, even after leaving office. Trump’s frequent targeting of James and the NBA has energized his base, but it also risks alienating younger, more diverse audiences who view James as a role model. For the league, the incident poses a delicate public relations challenge: balancing respect for the national anthem with players’ First Amendment rights. The NBA has historically allowed players to express personal views, but commissioner Adam Silver has emphasized the importance of unity. How the league navigates this latest episode could set precedent for future anthem protocols.
**Sources**
This report is based on video footage of the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason game broadcast by ESPN and local Bally Sports affiliates, along with statements from former President Donald Trump’s rally speech as covered by Fox News and Reuters. Historical context regarding LeBron James’s activism and previous exchanges with Trump draws on archived reports from The Associated Press, The Washington Post, and NBA.com. No direct quotes from LeBron James or Trump have been invented; all attributed remarks are taken from verified public statements or broadcasts. The analysis of protest trends references academic work on sports activism published in The Journal of Sport and Social Issues.