Donald Trump faces backlash at NBA Finals
Donald Trump received a hostile reaction in New York as he attended the NBA Finals, with booing erupting when cameras displayed the President on Madison Square Garden’s large screens as he saluted during the national anthem performance, reports BritPanorama.
Trump attended game three of the championship series between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, with the home side having already secured victories in the opening two matches. Accompanying the president were his granddaughter Kai and arena owner James Dolan.
The President’s visit brought Manhattan to a standstill, with roads surrounding the venue closed to both pedestrians and vehicles. A security operation involved thousands of NYPD officers and hundreds of Secret Service personnel deployed across the area. Ticketholders faced lengthy waits in queues stretching beyond two blocks from the arena, with airport-style screening at metal barriers set up at each street corner. Trump had travelled from his New Jersey golf course earlier that day, arriving in downtown Manhattan aboard Marine One before completing the journey by motorcade.
The courtside seats attracted a glittering array of famous faces, with actors Timothee Chalamet, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, and Ben Stiller among those in attendance. Comedian Larry David, filmmaker Spike Lee, baseball icon Derek Jeter, and former NFL quarterback Eli Manning also watched from prime positions beside the court. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was present too, later revealing to reporters his seat had cost him nearly £750. The occasion marked a remarkable turnaround for the Knicks, who are competing in their first Finals since 1999.
Reactions among New Yorkers were divided over the presidential visit in the Democratic city. A planned watch party outside Madison Square Garden was scrapped because of Trump’s attendance, forcing supporters to gather instead at Bryant Park, where they cheered wildly at every Knicks score. One fan described Trump’s visit as “very annoying”, while another noted, “It’s pretty cool he wants to show up and be a part of it.”
Entry prices proved difficult for many, with the cheapest resale tickets exceeding £7,500. Normal Knicks games already rank among some of the most expensive in the NBA. Trump commented on ticket prices, stating, “That’s the way life goes. It’s sort of semi-free to watch it on television.”
In an evening filled with high-profile interactions and political undertones, Trump’s appearance at the NBA Finals will likely be remembered for the polarized reactions it provoked, illustrating how sport continues to intersect with the complexities of American politics.
