LeBron James faced a surge of online backlash this week after video circulated showing the Los Angeles Lakers star moving casually during the U.S. national anthem before the team's Christmas Day game, an episode that quickly drew criticism and reignited scrutiny of his past associations. The clip, first shared by ESPN's TikTok account, spread rapidly across social media, where viewers debated whether his behavior showed "disrespect" during the pregame ceremony.
The footage shows James practicing a golf swing and speaking to someone nearby as singer Stevie Mackey performed "The Star-Spangled Banner." Other players stood facing the flag. Within hours, the video amassed hundreds of thousands of views and triggered a wave of commentary accusing the 40-year-old athlete of indifference toward a national ritual.
Some users characterized the moment as emblematic of celebrity detachment, while others defended James, arguing that brief gestures during pregame routines are routinely misinterpreted. James has not publicly addressed the clip or the reaction that followed.
The episode arrived at a moment when online attention around James has already been heightened by renewed discussion of his past social connections, particularly his association with music executive Sean "Diddy" Combs. Combs is currently serving a four-year prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, a development that has prompted renewed examination of past celebrity interactions.
Old video clips and quotes resurfaced alongside the anthem footage, including a 2020 interview in which James said, "Hey, everybody know, ain't no party like a Diddy party." The remark, previously treated as lighthearted, has been recirculated in a more critical context as allegations surrounding Combs continue to generate headlines.
Online commentary has increasingly blended the two narratives, with users linking the anthem moment to broader criticisms of James's judgment and associations. Some comments speculated about his presence at past celebrity gatherings tied to Combs, though James has not been accused or charged in connection with any criminal activity.
The renewed attention also coincides with a civil lawsuit filed earlier this year by Florida resident Manzaro Joseph against Combs. The lawsuit alleges human trafficking and sexual assault during a past gathering and names several high-profile figures. Joseph's complaint alleges that James was present at the event and claims he said, "Y'all better do something about that!" The filing does not name James as a defendant.
Combs's legal team has rejected the lawsuit's claims, describing them as unfounded and motivated by financial gain. Other individuals named in the filing, including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, have issued categorical denials. In a statement, the Estefans said, "The house in question was never a home where we resided but one we owned for family use. There were no parties held there between 2012 and 2019, and we have documentation to support these facts."
James has not commented on the lawsuit or on the renewed circulation of his past remarks. Representatives for the Lakers star did not respond publicly as online debate continued to intensify.
