President Donald Trump isn’t afraid to walk straight into the lion’s den, and he reportedly plans to do just that by attending the first NBA Finals game in New York in 27 years.
Trump plans to attend Game 3 of the Knicks-Spurs series at Madison Square Garden on Monday, according to New York Post sources.
The White House did not respond to the Post, but MSG is reportedly beefing up security for Trump’s potential appearance, the Post reported.
Speculation over Trump, a New York native, attending a Knicks game has been brewing for days as the team has been gaining steam:
Congrats to the @nyknicks on an impressive comeback win last night. Just wait until Monday when President Trump is at MSG! https://t.co/1mw4bOYq77
— Rob Bluey (@RobertBluey) June 4, 2026
Trump told the Post’s Emily Goodin on May 27 that he had been invited to attend a game by “great guy” Madison Square Garden Sports and Entertainment CEO Jim Dolan.
News of a potential Trump appearance unsurprisingly drew polarizing reactions, with some believing it would be a selfish stunt, while others looked forward to a patriotic and even iconic moment:
Honestly the security interruptions to Knicks fans, NYers, World Cup attendees during a rail transportation Armageddon is irresponsible and self gratification. He will get loudly booed.
— Richard Wilkes #🟦. 🇮🇱 (@NowBergen) June 3, 2026
This seems unwise (and frankly, odds are high that he doesn’t show).
Trump is going to get booed a lot.
Unlike football and baseball stadiums (which are mostly outdoor and have larger crowds), MSG is indoors and boos can easily be heard on all broadcasts (TV, radio, etc).
— mtnycz (@mtnycz) June 3, 2026
Gonna be an absolute nightmare to traverse through the area.
— Shaq 🇸🇷 (@defaultshaq) June 3, 2026
Others believed the scene would be “electric.”
The Knicks returning to the Finals after more than two decades is already a massive story. Add President Trump in attendance at Madison Square Garden, and Game 3 becomes more than a basketball game—it becomes a major cultural and political event.
The Garden is going to be…— Gems In Ernest (@Bevatronltd) June 3, 2026
Sports and politics rarely stay separate at this level. Trump’s attendance will generate headlines far beyond basketball.
— Global brief (@DawoodA38015953) June 3, 2026
Knicks back in the Finals after 27 years and Trump rolling into MSG for Game 3? New York is about to be loud as hell. This is gonna be fun to watch 😂
— Mr. Abul (@MrAbulX) June 3, 2026
Either way, a Trump appearance is certain to be “loud as hell.”
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