Donald Trump was booed by fans at Madison Square Garden on Monday night when he appeared on the arena’s video screens before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. Trump, shown during the national anthem, held a salute and smiled for a little more than eight seconds as jeers echoed around the arena. When the board later displayed Knicks players, the reaction shifted to cheers.
Trump attended the game as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, arriving under heavy security as New York hosted its first NBA Finals game since 1999. He watched from the owner’s box above center court, with Secret Service personnel occupying nearby suites. Also present were Dolan, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Trump’s granddaughter Kai. His appearance drew attention well beyond the court, adding a political element to an already high-stakes championship night.
The reception was not surprising to many in attendance, given the liberal lean of many NBA fans and New York City’s strong support for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Still, the president’s presence changed the atmosphere around the arena, where the Knicks entered the night with a 2-0 series lead and a chance to move one win away from their first title since 1973.
Security around Madison Square Garden was tightened hours before tipoff. A 10-foot fence surrounded the building, fans were urged to arrive at least two hours early, and the team imposed a no-bag policy. By midday, lines had already formed as fans passed through metal detectors staffed by Secret Service agents. City officials also shut down several blocks around the arena beginning around 4 p.m., creating a “frozen zone” from West 30th to West 35th Streets between Sixth and Eighth Avenues.
The added precautions disrupted the usual playoff atmosphere. The outdoor watch party that had drawn large crowds for earlier games was canceled, though other public viewing events elsewhere in the city were allowed to proceed. Some fans criticized the disruption and said the president could have chosen another night to attend. Others acknowledged Trump’s past connection to the Knicks and to Madison Square Garden, where he was once a familiar courtside presence during the team’s 1990s run.
Trump’s attendance also came after a rowdy celebration following New York’s Game 2 win in San Antonio, when thousands of fans flooded the streets and police made several arrests after some supporters blocked traffic and ignored orders to disperse. His visit mirrored the heavy security that surrounded his appearance at last year’s US Open men’s final in Queens.
Trump said last week that he would attend after receiving an invitation from Dolan. Monday’s game made him the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. The crowd also included New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, along with celebrity Knicks fans Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, Jon Stewart and Tracy Morgan. Despite the security and political spectacle, many fans said the moment remained historic for the franchise and for the city.
