Protests broke out outside the arena, with fans holding signs that read “Trump must go now” and “go Knicks, f*ck Trump.”
President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, becoming the first sitting president to do so. Trump was met with both boos and cheers in response to his visit. The New York Knicks are leading in the Finals over the San Antonio Spurs, with the Knicks winning the first two games.
When arriving at the arena, his caravan was met with both booes and cheers, as well as chants of “f*ck Trump.” He was also booed inside the arena as he was displayed on the jumbotron during the national anthem, with chants of “USA” later breaking out.
Per Deadline, other celebrities to attend the game were Spike Lee, Tracey Morgan, Tomothee Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and others. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in the lead-up to tip-off that Trump was a “fixture” of NBA games at Madison Square Garden, saying he used to have courtside seats and was “here all the time.”
Protests broke out outside the arena, with fans holding signs that read “Trump must go now” and “go Knicks, f*ck Trump.” Leftists also chanted the latter phrase outside the arena.
A large security presence was seen at the arena ahead in response to Trump’s attendance at the game, with the Knicks warning over the weekend of heightened restrictions, including a no-bag policy and “TSA-style screening procedures.” Fans were urged to arrive at least two hours before tip-off to get inside the building.