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President Donald Trump called on Americans to boycott the WNBA at a midterm campaign rally in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 22.
He criticized the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries for leaving the court before the national anthem at each game of the WNBA Finals.
Trump spoke to a crowd at Sioux Gateway Airport while campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. He brought up the league unprompted, asking supporters what was going on with “the women’s NBA.”
“It’s a big deal going on. They leave the court when the national anthem’s playing. What’s that all about?” Trump said.
He compared the situation to NFL protests a decade ago, when players knelt during the anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.
“The NFL did that for a while, and they stopped because people stopped watching the games. So I think you should do the same thing with women’s basketball,” Trump said. Video of the remarks shows him adding “unless they get there.”
Trump also warned that the league risked hurting itself. “They’ll destroy themselves before they get started because they’re just starting to do good,” he said.
He credited former University of Iowa and current Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark with helping boost the league’s ratings and public attention.
Earlier on October 22, Trump attacked NBA star LeBron James on Truth Social. He accused James of disrespecting the country during the national anthem before the season opener on October 20 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. James, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, appeared to be practicing his golf swing and basketball shots while a performer sang.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country! I said right from the beginning that he’s no good, a TOTAL DISGRACE,” Trump wrote. He added that 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!”
At the Iowa rally, Trump repeated his criticism, saying James had been practicing his golf swing during the anthem.
James has criticized Trump in the past. He brushed off the latest attack in comments to reporters, saying, “It must be a slow news day at the office.”
