President Donald Trump felt the full wrath of New York Knicks fans at Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals — but that’s not exactly how he saw it.
“It was, I think, mostly cheers,” Trump, 79, told reporters before boarding Air Force One after the game on Monday, June 8. “It was loud and it was very enthusiastic.”
That’s certainly not how most people interpreted the situation,, with Trump on the receiving end of undeniable jeers when he was shown on the screen inside Madison Square Garden during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Trump booed very loudly here at MSG,” The Athletic’s Es Baraheni wrote via X, sharing a video from inside the arena.
The president was shown giving the military salute from a suite inside Madison Square Garden, with his granddaughter Kai Trump standing behind him.
Trump watched most of the game from the suite alongside Knicks owner James Dolan. At certain points, he was seen chowing down on French fries and pizza.
Despite the cold reception, Trump made presidential history by attending the game.
Kai Trump (L), US President Donald Trump (C) and Knicks owner James Dolan stand during the National Anthem as they attend Game Three of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8, 2026. SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images
“Tonight, President Donald Trump becomes the first United States president to attend an NBA Finals game,” ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen said during the broadcast. “Longtime Knick fan. Certainly liked what he saw here.”
Breen, 65, then transitioned into a highlight of Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson knocking down a three-pointer.
The Knicks fell to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3, 115-111, cutting their lead in the best-of-seven series in half. Game 4 is back at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed Trump’s attendance during ESPN’s Inside the NBA pregame show.
“I found out because Jim Dolan invited him to the game and he said yes,” Silver, 64, explained. “He’s welcome to be here. I think what makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is it’s something that we have in common. We should look for those things that we have in common and build off that.”
Silver called Trump “a genuine Knicks fan” and addressed all of the extra security precautions that came with the president showing up, which included multiple city blocks being shut down around Madison Square Garden.
“Yes, there’s some inconvenience to the fans here, but looking around at the arena, it’s packed,” Silver said. “So people listened, they came early.”
He added, “I think we should be using sports to create more of a sense of community with people.”
