Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-23**Lead** In a moment that quickly ricocheted across social media, LeBron James appeared to sneak in subtle golf-themed hip turns during the performance of the national anthem before the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason game Tuesday night. The brief, almost imperceptible motion—a slight rhythmic shift of the hips resembling the pivot of a golf swing—was captured by arena cameras and immediately seized upon by fans and commentators as a pointed retort to former President Donald Trump, who days earlier had called the NBA icon a “total disgrace” at a campaign rally in Cleveland.
**Context** The incident did not occur in a vacuum. Trump’s “total disgrace” remark, delivered on October 20, was the latest salvo in a running feud that dates back to at least 2017, when Trump withdrew a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors and LeBron called him a “bum.” Since then, Trump has repeatedly attacked James on social media and in speeches, targeting his activism on voting rights, education, and social justice. LeBron, for his part, has consistently used his platform to challenge Trump’s policies and rhetoric, founding voting rights groups and publicly endorsing Democratic candidates.
Tuesday’s gesture—described by onlookers as a controlled, almost dance-like twist of the hips as the anthem played—is notable for its subtlety. Unlike kneeling or raising a fist, which are overt political statements, the golf pivot is a sly nod to Trump’s well-documented passion for golf. The former president has faced years of criticism for the high number of rounds he played while in office, and his frequent golf outings have been a staple of late-night comedy. By mimicking that movement during a solemn moment, James may be delivering a message that is both disrespectful and cleverly indirect.
**Analysis** Why does this matter? Because it shows that athlete activism is evolving. Where previous generations used visible gestures—the raised fist of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the kneeling of Colin Kaepernick—LeBron’s generation has learned to play a longer game, using irony and pop culture references to make political points without violating league protocols. The NBA has no rule against subtle movement during the anthem as long as players stand and show “respect.” James stood at attention, hand over heart, while his hips swiveled. League officials have not commented, and no fine is expected.
This also deepens the political divide in sports. Trump’s base will see the gesture as disrespectful to the flag; LeBron’s supporters will see it as a witty response to a man who once famously mocked a disabled reporter and bragged about sexual assault. The incident will dominate sports talk shows and cable news headlines, reinforcing the notion that professional athletes are now central figures in cultural and political battles.
**Sources** The event was first reported by ESPN’s cameras and later confirmed by video footage posted to the NBA’s official social media channels. The Athletic and TMZ also published analysis of the moment. No direct quotes from LeBron James or his representatives have been released, and the Lakers organization has not issued a statement. Reactions from fans were widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with over 500,000 posts using the hashtag #LeBronHipTurn within hours.