President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. However, his appearance was met with loud boos from the crowd.
Video footage shows Trump waving to the crowd as he walked to his courtside seat, but the cheers were quickly drowned out by boos and chants of 'Lock him up.' The reaction was widely reported by multiple news outlets.
The New York Knicks were playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. Trump's visit was part of a series of public appearances ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
White House officials did not comment on the reception. The NBA had no official statement regarding the president's attendance.
