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President Donald Trump received a massive reaction from a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
As the national anthem was being sung, Trump appeared on MSG’s big screen above the court, to a mixed reaction from the crowd.
While there was some applause as Trump waved to the crowd from his suite, the boos from those in attendance were louder before the video showed NYPD officers holding flags on the court.
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President Donald Trump watches the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8, 2026. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Trump was accompanied by his granddaughter, Kai Trump, who stood to his right with her hand over her heart. Knicks owner James Dolan was also in the suite with Trump to his left when he was shown.
This reception from fans in New York City was very different from another key sporting event this year: the College Football Playoff National Championship.
College football fans ate up the moment Trump appeared on the Jumbotron at Hard Rock Stadium. Similarly, Trump appeared during the national anthem before the game. While surrounded by his grandchildren, Trump waved to the crowd, which erupted in applause.
SECRET SERVICE, TSA AND NYPD TRANSFORM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN INTO FORTRESS FOR TRUMP’S NBA FINALS VISIT
New York fans clearly didn’t share the same sentiment as Florida fans.
Trump’s arrival in New York meant increased security throughout the city. A security fence was erected around MSG, the Secret Service and more law enforcement officials performed their duties at the highest level, which meant longer lines and wait times to enter the arena.
President Donald Trump looks on before game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The NYPD also announced that vehicular and pedestrian traffic was closed from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue at 4 p.m.
And viewing parties in the area were canceled, with the NYPD claiming it was for security reasons during Trump’s visit.
“The NYPD, in coordination with the Secret Service, made the decision for Game 3, where we have a presidential visit, that we would not be able to support viewing parties right outside the Garden,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a news conference. “We hope to bring back viewing parties for Game 4. But I think New Yorkers are used to presidents coming to town and understand that that usually means area closures and that’s what you’ll see tonight at the Garden.”
President Donald Trump watches the first quarter of Game 3 between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
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MSG rejected the NYPD’s stance, saying the permit was denied by local city officials and not because of Trump’s presence.
Trump has attended numerous sporting events since beginning his second term, including the Super Bowl in New Orleans two seasons ago, the Daytona 500 and the Ryder Cup.
