WASHINGTON -- Yes, LeBron James' staged a Nike shoe demonstration promoting equality Sunday because the Cavaliers were playing in the nation's capital and Donald Trump serves as president in the White House nearby.

James wore one white shoe and one black shoe with "EQUALITY" stitched on the back during the first half of the Cavs' 106-99 win over the Wizards. He's accused Trump of creating division and of inflaming racial tensions.

"Obviously we all know where we are right now, and we know who is at the helm here," James said. "Us as Americans, no matter the skin color, no matter the race, no matter who you are, I think we all have to understand that having equal rights and being able to stand for something and speak for something and keeping the conversation going.

"Obviously I've been very outspoken and well spoken about the situation that's going on at the helm here, and we're not going to let one person dictate us, us as Americans, how beautiful and how powerful we are as a people. Equality is all about understanding our rights, understanding what we stand for and how powerful we are as men and women, black or white or Hispanic.

"It doesn't matter your race, whatever the case may be, this is a beautiful country and we're never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are."

James is a frequent critic of Trump and campaigned for his opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 election.

Nike launched a company-wide equality marketing and political campaign in February, so the shoes are not just a James vehicle. He said his Nike rep showed him the shoes Sunday afternoon and he decided to wear one of each color against the Wizards.

James had already worn two black "EQUALITY" shoes this season.

LeBron James' first game this season was his first for the "equality" shoes.

James wore a pair of wine-colored shoes in the second half Sunday.

"I didn't play well in the first half, and I'm very superstitious, so I took them off," James said. "I didn't play well in the second half, either, so if there was a third half I would have took those off."

James finished with his third consecutive triple double (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists) but shot 8-of-23 and committed six turnovers.