New York, United States. U.S. President Donald Trump was booed by fans on Monday as he attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend the championship series. The game featured the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
Crowd reaction at the arena
Attending as a guest of Knicks president James Dolan, Trump stood in a luxury box at Madison Square Garden, smiling as the sell-out crowd jeered and booed when he appeared on the Jumbotron during the national anthem.
Trump later told reporters as he prepared to depart from JFK airport in New York that he viewed the reaction positively. “I thought it was amazing, actually,” he said. “You mean, when they had the camera on me? I thought it was very good.”
Security measures and fan frustration
Trump’s appearance added to his complicated relationship with his former hometown, as fans lined sidewalks in Midtown Manhattan amid heightened security around the arena.
With New York leading the best-of-seven series 2-0, the Knicks’ first home Finals game in 27 years drew strong demand, with fans paying thousands of dollars for tickets. Security measures slowed entry for ticket-holders, while commuters and tourists moved through black metal fencing that restricted pedestrian traffic near the venue.
Errol Ismail, a Brooklyn resident and fitness company owner, said he was frustrated after trying multiple entrances to get into the arena. “I wish he wasn’t here. He’s not a real fan, and he’s just making things awful,” Ismail said. “We’ve waited a lifetime for this, and he’s made it about himself, like everything else.”
Poll numbers and game result
Trump’s approval rating remained near the lowest levels of his political career, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday, which found that 35% of respondents approved of his performance.
The Spurs defeated the Knicks 115-111, cutting New York’s series lead to 2-1.
Mayor also attends game
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters before the game that he bought a ticket directly from Madison Square Garden for nearly $1,000. Mamdani and Trump have criticized each other’s policy positions, but their meetings have been friendly.