President Donald Trump was met with a chorus of loud boos from the crowd at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, as he made a rare appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
The moment occurred during the playing of the national anthem, when Trump was shown on the arena’s main videoboard. As the camera focused on him, the arena erupted in jeers that lasted for nearly 20 seconds, drowning out parts of the anthem.
Trump, seated in a luxury suite, was seen smirking and giving a slight wave to the crowd.
The visit marked the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended an NBA Finals game. His presence, however, created significant logistical challenges for the event.
The New York Police Department implemented a massive security lockdown blocks around the arena, forcing fans to undergo airport-style screenings and severe delays entering the venue.
The league was also forced to cancel the outdoor fan watch party traditionally held on the plaza outside the Garden.
Reactions on social media were swift, with many fans criticizing the disruption to the championship game. “I paid $2,000 for a ticket and stood in line for an hour and a half,” one fan posted on X. “All for a political sideshow during the anthem.”
The White House had not issued a comment on the incident as of late Monday night. The game itself continued without further incident, though the booing remained a dominant topic of discussion during halftime.
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