For people like WNBA analyst Rebecca Lobo, any discussion of American greatness has been derailed by concerns of sounding like President Trump. Ms. Lobo apologized during an ESPN broadcast on Sunday for saying “what makes America great.”

“I disagree with them, and that’s fine,” Lobo said to her broadcast partner after a foul call during a game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever. That’s what makes America great, right, Pam Ward?”

The comment, which echoed Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, was met with silence from Ms. Ward.

Lobo eventually backtracked.

“I should rephrase that,” she said.

“I did think ’differences of opinion’ are perfectly fine,” Ward replied.

The Aces went on to defeat superstar Caitlin Clark and the Fever 89-81.

Mr. Trump has had a contentious relationship with the WNBA throughout his two presidential terms. He has not invited any WNBA champions to the White House, an event that was customary before he took office for the first time in 2017.

The WNBA’s players, who are predominantly Black and often liberally minded, have often bristled against Mr. Trump’s conservative policies. On Saturday night, New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud criticized the U.S. military’s aerial strikes on Iran.

“A sad, sad day,” she posted on X. “Grounds for impeachment.”

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.