Nationwide — President Donald Trump has demanded an apology from LeBron James after footage showed the NBA star moving his arms during the national anthem. The president accused him of disrespecting the country, but the Philadelphia 76ers player brushed off the criticism after leading his team to a historic comeback win.

The controversy began Tuesday before Philadelphia faced the reigning champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. According to The Comeback, footage shared by ClutchPoints showed James swinging his arms as if practicing a golf swing before making a basketball shooting motion while the national anthem played. Most of his teammates remained still. The 76ers went on to win the game, spoiling the Knicks’ championship ring ceremony, but the pregame footage quickly gained attention on social media.

Conservative commentators criticized James over the footage, prompting Trump to weigh in on Thursday. In a post on Truth Social, the president accused the basketball star of disrespecting the country and called him a “TOTAL DISGRACE.” He also demanded that James apologize to American service members who died defending the nation and its flag. Trump wrote, “LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!”

The president continued his criticism later that evening, mimicking James’ apparent golf swing while questioning his actions during the anthem. “What the hell is that? No, it’s a big scandal kind of a story,” Trump said. James, however, gave a sarcastic response when reporters asked about the president’s comments after Philadelphia’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. “Must (have been) a slow news day at the office, you know? Slow news day in the office,” he said, according to USA Today.

James had plenty to celebrate after the 76ers erased a 29-point deficit to defeat Cleveland 114-106. The comeback marked the largest in franchise history during the play-by-play era and the biggest of James’ career, according to ClutchPoints. He recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals as Philadelphia improved to 2-0. His response suggested he was more focused on the team’s performance than the president’s criticism.

The dispute is the latest chapter in the long-running tension between James and Trump. During Trump’s first term, the basketball star openly criticized the president, leading to public attacks in return. In 2018, James also pushed back against Fox News host Laura Ingraham after she criticized him for speaking about political and social issues. He responded that he would “definitely not shut up and dribble.” Trump later questioned whether James was racist and said he preferred Michael Jordan. The latest exchange continues their history of public disagreements, with James once again choosing not to engage in an extended back-and-forth with the president.