What is the history behind Trump’s LeBron blast over US national anthem?

President Donald Trump has reignited his long-running feud with LeBron James, calling the NBA star a "TOTAL DISGRACE" after James appeared to keep warming up while the US national anthem was performed before a game.

James, 41, was seen practising a golf swing and a jump shot as The Star-Spangled Banner played ahead of Philadelphia's season opener in New York on Tuesday. Most of his 76ers teammates stood still during the anthem.

Trump shared video of the moment on social media on Thursday, writing: "I said right from the beginning that he's no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE." He added: "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!"

James had not publicly responded as of Thursday evening. The veteran is playing in his record 24th NBA season and his first with Philadelphia, and was set to make his home debut for the Sixers against Cleveland on Thursday night.

The clash is the latest chapter in years of public sparring between the two men. In 2017, while playing for Cleveland, James wore one black and one white shoe emblazoned with the word "equality", and said afterwards that no one person would dictate how beautiful and powerful the country is.

James has called Trump "a bum" on social media and hit back after a Fox News host told him to "shut up and dribble", responding: "We will definitely not shut up and dribble." He has repeatedly invoked Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell and Jackie Robinson as examples of athletes who spoke up for change, and was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year in 2020 in part for his work encouraging people to vote.