Donald Trump was met with loud boos inside Madison Square Garden on Monday night when he appeared on the video boards during the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Trump was shown briefly saluting in a military gesture as the crowd reaction intensified. The boos faded as the display cut to the U.S. flag, while the atmosphere shifted to cheers when New York Knicks players appeared on screen. Mentions of the San Antonio Spurs drew another wave of loud jeers from sections of the crowd.
Trump attended the game from the suite of Knicks owner James Dolan, alongside his granddaughter Kai, political adviser Boris Epshteyn, and Cabinet officials Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy and Doug Burgum. It marked the first time a sitting U.S. president attended an NBA Finals game.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and his granddaughter Kai Trump attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City, U.S., June 8, 2026. (Reuters Photo)
He arrived via Marine One from his residence in New Jersey, landing near Wall Street before a motorcade carried him through Manhattan to the arena about an hour before tipoff. Along the route, some onlookers made rude gestures, and a small group near the venue held signs reading “Trump must go.”
