Donald Trump insists Knicks crowd cheered for him despite loud boos at NBA Finals

Donald Trump has responded to the reaction he received from fans during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, insisting that the atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden was overwhelmingly positive despite videos capturing loud boos from sections of the crowd.

The US president attended Monday night’s championship clash between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in his hometown of New York. During the pregame ceremony, cameras briefly focused on Trump while the national anthem was being performed.

Footage from the arena showed many spectators booing when the president appeared on the giant screen. The reaction was audible on broadcasts and in videos shared by journalists and fans from different areas inside the venue.

However, Trump described the reception very differently when speaking to reporters after the game.

"I think mostly cheers," he said. "It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic."

His comments quickly attracted attention online because they contrasted with numerous recordings from inside Madison Square Garden. Members of the White House press pool also reported that the president had been loudly booed when shown to the crowd.

Additional videos posted online showed fans outside the arena shouting insults as Trump’s motorcade arrived. The president later shared footage from his visit on social media, with some users noting that hostile chants could still be heard in the background.

The evening became even more frustrating for Knicks supporters after New York suffered a defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, ending the team’s 13 game playoff winning streak.

Some fans jokingly blamed Trump’s appearance for the loss. Sports commentator Stephen A Smith also made light of the situation during coverage, saying he would blame the president if the Knicks failed to win the game.

Social media users reacted strongly after Trump’s remarks about receiving cheers. Critics questioned his version of events and circulated additional videos from inside the arena to support their claims.

The president has previously experienced mixed reactions at sporting events. Similar scenes unfolded during the men’s final of the US Open in 2025, when reports noted that parts of the crowd also booed his appearance.

Despite the controversy, Trump’s attendance at Game 3 became one of the biggest talking points of the evening, rivalled only by the action on the court itself.