Was Trump Booed or Cheered at NBA Finals? What Videos Show
Two videos recorded at New York City’s Madison Square Garden during Game 3 of the NBA Finals are being used to tell different stories about the fan base in the arena for the clash between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
President Donald Trump, a lifelong Knicks fan, sparked criticism ahead of the game over politicizing a sporting event and making it more difficult logistically for fans to attend the game because of the increased security measures. Fans warned ahead of time that Trump wasn't welcome at the game, but, whether the arena was filled with anti-Trump sentiment or patriotic Americans depends on where people get their information.
During the national anthem, people in the arena booed Trump when he appeared on the screen from a private suite. It was originally thought that Trump would sit courtside, but he watched the game from a suite that was completely encased in glass as part of enhanced security measures in light of the multiple assassination attempts on the president.
This clip was shared by most media outlets and Trump's critics posted it widely on social media as evidence that he wasn't welcome at the game and shouldn't have attended.
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In another clip, chants of “USA!” can be heard in the arena. The chants, which have become synonymous with Trump's rallies, were seized on by Fox News and Trump's supporters as evidence that the arena was filled with patriots who support the president.
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While some said the chants broke out when Trump entered the Garden, they actually happened right before the national anthem, according to video of the event. So, it’s possible the chants were in response to Trump being in the arena. But it’s also possible it was just a patriotic sentiment unrelated to the president.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended Trump’s presence at the game, saying the president’s a lifelong fan who attended games courtside and that he's welcome to come celebrate the league’s championship round. He also said sports should be a unifier for the country and that people should focus on their commonalities.
Silver’s comments came after Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned why Trump was going to the game. He suggested that the president focus on helping improve the lives of Americans, calling his economy a "disaster."
"I'm not sure it's going to be a good reception for him," Jeffries said during an interview with CNN. "But why does Donald Trump always have to ruin a good thing, like literally the Knicks haven't been in the Finals for 27 years, the city is trying to celebrate. We're trying to embrace this and this guy has to inject himself."
Ahead of the game, fans were advised to arrive hours early to account for the added time that it could take to get into the arena because of the president's attendance. Lines to get inside stretched blocks and the Garden’s vicinity was blocked off, making getting around the area difficult. Fans waiting in line criticized Trump for the inconvenience and others who weren't attending the game also weren't able to enjoy watch parties because they were canceled, given the security risk.
"He could have picked any other day. This night is for the fans," Joanne Cadden, 53, a Knicks fan from the Bronx, told The Guardian. "You're making people go away from the Garden. This wasn't the time."
Tickets for the game were going for over $10,000, another issue that irked Knicks fans. When asked about the elevated cost, Trump told reporters that people who can't afford to buy a ticket can watch it at home.
"That's the way life goes," Trump said. "Now, if the team wasn't a big success, you could go very easily. That's just the way life is."
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 10:13 PM.