Donald Trump Faces Boos During National Anthem at NBA Finals

During Game 3 of the NBA Finals held on June 8, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, former President Donald Trump was met with significant backlash from the crowd as he attended the match between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. The event was marked by long lines reminiscent of airport security, as fans were instructed to arrive two hours in advance.

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox commented on the disruption caused by Trump's presence, stating, "The president being here just makes it inconvenient on everybody else." The atmosphere turned particularly tumultuous when Trump appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem, eliciting loud boos from the audience.

Trump's approval ratings have recently plummeted, making the crowd's reaction unsurprising. Notably, he is the first sitting president in U.S. history to attend an NBA Finals game. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the situation, emphasizing Trump's longstanding connection to the venue: "He was a fixture at Madison Square Garden…he had courtside seats, here ALL the time. He was at drafts. He's a GENUINE Knicks fan."

As the Knicks entered Game 3 with a 2-0 lead in the series and a 13-game winning streak, the potential impact of Trump's attendance loomed large. Some players, including Knicks wing Josh Hart, have openly expressed their disdain for the former president in the past, adding to the speculation about whether Trump's appearance might disrupt the team's momentum.