Donald Trump booed during the NBA finals in New York City
Donald Trump did not receive a warm welcome at Madison Square Garden during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. When the president appeared before the crowd in his hometown, he was met with a sea of boos from thousands of basketball fans.
As Broadway star Avery Wilson sang the national anthem, the camera faded to a shot of Trump saluting the flag, and MSG erupted in boos. Feints for the president were heard on the ABC broadcast, but they were overwhelmed by the cheers from the Bronx.
The New York Knicks, led by star point guard Jalen Brunson, look to extend their lead to 3-0 against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, effectively putting the championship series to bed (no team in the history of the NBA Finals has ever overcome a comeback from 3-0).
In Game 1, the Knicks scored a decisive victory over the Spurs, 105-95. Game 2 came down to the wire with the score tied at 104 with 10 seconds left. After a critical turnover and foul by Spurs superstar center Victor Wembanyama, Brunson went to the line and pushed the Knicks to a one-point lead. Spurs at the other end were unable to convert and fell behind 0-2 in the series.
This isn’t the first time Trump has shown his face at a major sporting event and been dismissed with much boos. When the president returned to Queens, the New York City borough where he grew up, for the men’s final of the US Open in late 2025, he could be heard booing during the ABC broadcast. The AP reported at the time that when Trump heard the crowd’s reaction, he “broke a grin,” which “made the boos momentarily louder.”
