Trump-Focused Chant Disrupts U.S. Anthem at NBA Game in London

January 20, 2026 Oliver Obel

An NBA regular-season game in London briefly became a forum for international politics after a chant referencing U.S. President Donald Trump interrupted the American national anthem at the O2 Arena.

The moment occurred as the league continued its effort to expand its European footprint, staging high-profile games before international audiences.

Game result overshadowed

The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies faced off on Sunday night in London, days after the same teams played the NBA’s first regular-season game in Germany. According to the NBA, Orlando won that Berlin matchup 118–111.

Memphis responded in London with a 126–109 victory. The Grizzlies were led by Ja Morant, who scored 24 points, a result that left the team 10th in the Western Conference standings. Orlando remained seventh in the Eastern Conference as the regular season entered its final three months, according to league standings.

While the game carried playoff implications, events before tip-off drew broader attention.

Anthem moment interrupted

During the pre-game ceremony, actress Vanessa Williams was performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” when a fan shouted a political slogan from the stands.

As the anthem neared its conclusion, a man could be heard yelling, “Leave Greenland alone,” according to video footage and eyewitness reporting published by British outlet The Guardian and U.S.-based sports media. Parts of the 18,000-seat crowd reacted with confusion, while others cheered, partially drowning out the closing moments of the anthem.

The disruption stood out given the traditionally ceremonial role of national anthems at U.S. sporting events, particularly when staged abroad.

Context behind the chant

The comment referenced President Trump’s repeated public statements about Greenland. Trump has argued that the United States should acquire the island, saying anything short of full control would be “unacceptable,” according to remarks previously reported by Reuters.

In response to Trump’s comments, Denmark and several European allies issued a joint statement affirming that they stood “firmly behind” the “principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The statement was released by the Danish government and signed by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Reuters has also reported that Trump has threatened escalating tariffs on the UK and seven other European countries unless the United States is allowed to purchase Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. He has declined to rule out the use of force in pursuing U.S. control of the island.

Strategic importance

Greenland’s geopolitical significance has been central to Trump’s argument. The island hosts a major U.S. military base and plays a role in the American ballistic missile defence system, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

“We need Greenland for national security, and that includes Europe,” Trump said earlier this month, according to Reuters. “We need it for national security, right now.”

He added that Greenland was “very important for the national security of the United States, Europe, and other parts of the free world.”

The brief chant during Sunday’s game offered a rare moment in which those geopolitical tensions surfaced inside a global sporting event, highlighting how international NBA showcases can intersect with wider political disputes.

Sources: Reuters, The Guardian; NBA, Danish government statements, U.S. Department of Defense