If Donald Trump expected his criticism of LeBron James to land without a return, he forgot the internet never deletes receipts.

A clip went viral online showing LeBron James loose and in his golf routine, stretching and going through warmups while the national anthem played in Philadelphia. Donald Trump pounced, taking aim at the footage out, calling LeBron a “total disgrace,” and claiming he owed the military an apology.

He even acted out the stretches on stage at a rally to rile up the room. But a cool, calm and collected LeBron barely batted an eye, brushing off the outrage as just another “slow news day at the office”.

Donald Trump played the orchestra during 2020 Super Bowl national them

It didn’t take long for folks to pull up the receipts. Back during a 2020 Super Bowl bash at his Mar-a-Lago club, Donald Trump was caught on video looking like he was everywhere except in the moment while the anthem played.

Instead of hand-on-heart reverence, he was grinning, pointing out friends, adjusting his jacket, and playfully waving his hands around like an orchestra conductor.

For a guy who loves to wrap himself in the flag and preach about proper respect whenever an athlete steps out of line, the old clip made his lecture to LeBron James look pretty rich.

And that’s exactly what fans have been talking about on X.

One fan seems to think he didn’t know the words in the 2020 clip: “Notice he can’t remember the words.”

“Trump gestured during the anthem too in 2020 but only LeBron James owes apologies.” Another added.

Another supporter wondered if LeBron had seen the video: “Please someone show LeBron this.”

“Maybe Donald Trump should practice what he preaches to LeBron James before he starts making demands.” One fan suggested Trump is just as bad as LeBron.

This supporter shared the same view: “Trump criticises LeBron yet Trump does it himself.”

At the end of the day, common decency isn’t optional. It shouldn’t matter how big your name is or where you stand politically, standing for the anthem is just basic respect. Until the league actually puts real teeth behind its rules and enforces them, players will just keep doing whatever they feel like.