Donald Trump was met with loud boos and jeers when he appeared on the video screens at Madison Square Garden on Monday night before Game 3 of the NBA finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. The president was shown on the jumbotron for over eight seconds while the national anthem was being sung, holding a salute with a smile. The boos turned to cheers when the screen switched to Knicks players.
Trump, a longtime Knicks fan, attended as a guest of team owner James Dolan. He watched the game from the owner's box above centre court, accompanied by Dolan, interior secretary Doug Burgum, transportation secretary Sean Duffy, and Trump's granddaughter Kai. Later in the game, which the Knicks lost 115-111, Trump appeared to fall asleep.
The hostile reception was unsurprising given that NBA fans tend to lean liberal and New York City firmly supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Trump's appearance added to the spectacle of a city gripped by basketball fever, with the Knicks leading the series 2-0 and seeking their first championship since 1973.
Heightened security measures were in place around the arena, including a 10-foot perimeter fence, a strict no-bag policy, and Secret Service checkpoints. Fans were advised to arrive at least two hours early. Some fans expressed frustration, with one saying the security made the area "look like prison" and another suggesting Trump should "just stay away" to avoid disrupting the event.
The security restrictions led to the cancellation of an outdoor watch party that had drawn thousands during earlier playoff games, though it was expected to return for Game 4. NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch described a "frozen zone" covering several blocks around the Garden, with police checkpoints limiting access.
