President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend the NBA Finals but was booed by many basketball fans at Madison Square Garden. At the same time, heightened security measures significantly disrupted travel and game attendance for sports fans in New York.
U.S. President Donald Trump was booed by many basketball fans inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday night, 8 June, while attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. This marked the first time in history that a sitting U.S. president attended the NBA Finals.
The incident occurred during the U.S. national anthem when Trump’s image appeared on the arena’s giant screen. After earlier cheers of "USA," the applause was soon replaced by loud boos from many fans, though some still voiced support for the U.S. leader.
Trump watched the game from the private suite of James Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks, accompanied by close associates, cabinet members, and several prominent politicians. During the game, he also spoke with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and several Republican politicians.
Trump’s visit prompted New York authorities, the U.S. Secret Service, and the New York Police Department to tighten security around Madison Square Garden. Black metal barriers were set up to block off areas, causing confusion for subway passengers, tourists, and basketball fans due to airport-like security checks and queues lasting over four hours before the game began.
Additionally, the usual outdoor playoff Watch Party was canceled and fans were redirected to gather at Bryant Park, a nearby public space. This move upset many fans, some of whom said Trump’s visit overshadowed the long-awaited game with political issues.
However, some fans felt Trump had the right to attend as a Knicks supporter like anyone else and did not want politics to affect the atmosphere of this important game.
The NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden drew massive attention as it was the Knicks’ first home finals game in 27 years. With the Knicks leading 2-0 in the series, ticket prices soared above $5,000 (around 180,000 baht) for the lowest-priced seats, while premium seats cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The arena also hosted many celebrities, including acclaimed director Spike Lee, baseball legend Derek Jeter, and former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, amid an atmosphere closely watched for both sports and political significance.
Trump, a native of Queens—one of New York’s key boroughs—has a tense relationship with the city’s largely Democratic base. In the past, he harshly criticized the NBA as a "political organization" after many players protested racial inequality through the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. His international travel and security arrangements have been under intense scrutiny following three assassination attempts and weapon threats against him over the last two years, leading to lockdowns at national sporting events he attends.
. . .Associated Press/Reuters