President Donald Trump drew a mixed reception when he attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday night to watch his hometown New York Knicks.
One of the most talked-about moments came before the game had even begun. As Trump appeared on the arena’s Jumbotron during the national anthem, loud boos could be heard from sections of the crowd.
Rather than react to the jeers, Trump smiled and continued saluting throughout the performance, a response that quickly caught the attention of fans watching inside the packed arena.
Crowd reaction quickly shifts
The crowd’s response changed moments later when the camera moved away from Trump and focused on Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
The boos were followed by loud cheers as Brunson appeared on screen, creating a sharp contrast in reactions inside Madison Square Garden.
Trump watched the game from Knicks owner Jim Dolan’s suite and was joined by several members of his administration, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Family members were also in attendance, including Jared Kushner and Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump.
A historic NBA Finals appearance
The visit marked a notable first for a sitting U.S. president.
Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, adding another major sporting event to a growing list of appearances since returning to office last year.
Game 3 was reportedly the 17th sporting event he has attended in person during that time. Previous appearances have included the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and the men’s U.S. Open final.
The Knicks entered the game with a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs and a 13-game winning streak.
Security measures tightened around the arena
Trump’s attendance also led to heightened security measures throughout the area surrounding Madison Square Garden.
Fans were required to follow a strict no-bag policy and pass through TSA-style security screening before entering the venue.
The additional security requirements also resulted in plans for a watch party outside the arena being scrapped, drawing criticism from some fans.
According to NBC New York, a secure zone was established near Madison Square Garden, restricting both pedestrian and vehicle access in parts of midtown Manhattan.
Despite the negative reaction from some fans during the national anthem, Trump appeared unbothered by the moment, smiling and maintaining his salute as the boos echoed around the arena.
