US President Donald Trump was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd at Madison Square Garden before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
The reaction came during the singing of the US national anthem when Trump appeared on the arena's giant video screens. While chants of “USA! USA!” were initially heard around the arena, they were quickly followed by loud boos as the camera focused on the president, who was seen saluting. The crowd's reaction shifted again when the screen showed the American flag and Knicks players.
The appearance was historic, as Trump became the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game. He watched the contest from Knicks owner James Dolan's suite, accompanied by family members, advisers and senior administration officials.
Trump later downplayed the negative reaction, telling reporters after the game that he believed there were “mostly cheers” and described the atmosphere as loud and enthusiastic.
The president's visit also led to unprecedented security measures around Madison Square Garden. Streets near the arena were closed, additional screening checkpoints were installed, and a planned public watch party was canceled due to security concerns. Fans were advised to arrive early because of the enhanced restrictions.
On the court, the Spurs defeated the Knicks 115-111 in Game 3, cutting New York's lead in the NBA Finals series to 2-1.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, highlighting the deeply polarized reactions Trump continues to generate at major public events across the United States.
