NBA legend Charles Barkley has joined President Donald Trump in criticizing LeBron James over his national anthem antics, calling the basketball superstar’s decision to practice his golf swing during the ceremony “very disrespectful.”
Barkley weighed in earlier this week after James was filmed going through the motions of a golf swing while the “Star-Spangled Banner” played ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers’ October 20 game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“I thought that was very disrespectful, practicing your golf swing in the middle of the anthem,” the Hall of Famer remarked. “I always stand for the anthem. I just think it’s important. We live in the greatest country ever.”
The former NBA star acknowledged that Americans have legitimate grievances about their country but argued that athletes should consider how they express those concerns.
Charles Barkley says LeBron practicing his golf swing during the national anthem was very disrespectful, says we live in the greatest country in the world. Amen. pic.twitter.com/CZaxS0sUcn
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 29, 2026
“This country … not even close to being perfect. It’s a great, great, great country, but it’s not close to being perfect,” Barkley explained.
“And you can protest, but I think you have to do it very [respectfully]. I really believe that. I look at it, I’m supporting the troops when I stand for the national anthem. I’m standing there for free speech.”
Barkley also made clear that his position wasn’t influenced by Trump’s opinion of James, saying he doesn’t pay attention to the president’s comments on the controversy.
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Trump had publicly condemned the 76ers forward two days after the anthem incident, accusing James of disrespecting the country and demanding an apology.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country!” Trump wrote, branding the four-time NBA champion “a TOTAL DISGRACE.”
The president also called on James to apologize to American military personnel who died serving the country.
James has faced criticism over his political statements and expressions of protest before, including his reaction to WNBA star Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia in 2022.
During an episode of “The Shop,” James questioned whether Griner would want to return to the United States, asking, “How can she feel like America has her back?”
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom responded by telling James he was “free to leave.”
James also drew attention following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot when he arrived at an arena wearing a shirt reading “Do you understand now.”
He subsequently criticized racial inequality in America and described the country as looking like a “third, fourth, fifth-world country.”
Barkley, meanwhile, has previously defended athletes who choose to stand during the anthem, including amid the widespread kneeling demonstrations in 2020.
“If we have a guy who doesn’t want to kneel ’cause the anthem means something to him, he should not be vilified,” he argued at the time.
The outspoken basketball analyst has also been criticizing political positions he disagrees with, including proposals associated with the Democratic Party, which he has supported in past elections.
During an interview earlier this month with journalist Chris Cuomo, Barkley identified himself as an independent who has generally voted Democratic but refused to defend every position advanced by politicians in the party.
“Listen, I’m an independent who’s voted Democratic most of the time,” he told Cuomo.
Sir Charles: “Some of these people are out here talking about no ICE, no prisons, using words like socialism. Like no, I don't believe in that… AND WE NEED YOU TO HAVE ID WHEN YOU GO VOTE!”
When you've lost Charles Barkley… pic.twitter.com/vAurCTktZa
— L A R R Y (@LarryOConnor) October 1, 2026
“You think I’m going to get on TV and kill my credibility saying every Democrat – like, some of these people out here talking about no ICE, no prison, using words like socialism.”
Barkley questioned proposals to eliminate policing or prisons, repeatedly describing those ideas as “some of the stupidest shit” he had heard.
“What are we going to do without cops? What are we going to do without prisons?” he asked.
His criticism wasn’t limited to Democratic positions. Barkley also argued that Immigration and Customs Enforcement needed to improve how it handles immigration enforcement, while praising immigrants’ contributions to the United States.
“We need immigrants in this country. They’re some of the most amazing, hard-working people in the world,” Barkley said.
He maintained that immigration authorities should concentrate on people involved in criminal activity and also voiced support for requiring voter identification.
Barkley previously entered another dispute involving professional basketball and politics when he addressed transgender participation in women’s sports during an August interview on CNN host Michael Smerconish’s podcast.
The discussion followed an incident in which former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from a WNBA game after a confrontation involving Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Freedom had worn a shirt bearing the words “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” prompting criticism and accusations that he was deliberately seeking attention.
Barkley said he respected transgender people but opposed allowing biological males to compete in women’s professional basketball.
He also criticized NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not addressing the controversy directly.
“I’m disappointed in [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver and Cathy [Engelbert] the [WNBA] commissioner,” Barkley said.
The former Philadelphia 76ers star argued that league leadership should establish and communicate its position rather than allow the controversy to unfold through public disputes online.
“People are looking for attention now…but [Freedom] has a point though,” Barkley said, referring to the former center’s position.
He urged the commissioners to state clearly that they would not permit transgender women to compete in the WNBA, while also criticizing Freedom’s approach to drawing attention to the issue.
“The WNBA is for women only. Period,” Barkley declared.
He also pointed to criticism directed at Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham over her opposition to biological males participating in women’s sports.
Barkley, who described himself as a fan of the women’s league, questioned why public controversies had become such a prominent part of its coverage.
“When’s the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can’t even remember. And I’m a WNBA fan,” he said.