Was Trump booed during national anthem at Knicks' NBA Finals game? – Snopes
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A comparison of the official livestream of the game with social media users’ video showed the crowd booed most loudly when Trump appeared on the arena’s screens. People outside Madison Square Garden also booed the presidential motorcade when Trump arrived.
After U.S. President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026, a rumor spread that the crowd booed him in the arena.
The claim spread on social media the night of the game and the next day, with one post on X saying “HUMILIATING: Donald Trump is MASSIVELY booed at Madison Square Garden the minute his face is shown on screen” (archived):
In addition, Snopes readers emailed and searched the website seeking to verify whether Trump really had been booed during the game.
A comparison of various social media users’ videos with the official livestream revealed the rumor was true. When Trump appeared on the large screens in the arena during Broadway performer Avery Wilson‘s performance of the national anthem, the crowd booed. Other social media users’ videos of Trump’s arrival at the arena also showed the crowd outside booing and jeering at the presidential motorcade.
The news of Trump’s attendance to the game led authorities to increase security measures and cancel the usual watch party outside Madison Square Garden, where an estimated 6,500 fans congregated to watch the previous game. This led to disappointment among fans (archived).
Fans expressed their discontent as soon as Trump’s motorcade approached the arena. One video on X showed the crowd booing the motorcade and chanting “F*** Trump” around 33rd Street in Manhattan, and a small group could be heard jeering at the convoy in footage by The Associated Press (at the 0:57 mark):
Meanwhile, the reputable image bank Getty Images published photographs showing fans holding up signs in protest of Trump, such as an “Airball Trump” sign and signs that read “Trump must go now!” and “Knicks in 4, Trump out NOW!”
It was during Wilson’s national anthem that the fans’ displeasure became obvious. Three seconds after the official ESPN livestream showed Trump, a roar rose the audience in the arena, which stopped three seconds after his image disappeared (from 1:14 and 1:28):
Based on various videos shot within the arena, the broadcast lag appeared to account for the three-second delay on the livestream. In these unofficial videos, the booing starts as soon as Trump appears on the jumbotron.
The booing also seems to have occurred at a nearby watch party taking place at Bryant Park, a few blocks north of Madison Square Garden, as video on X shot during the broadcast of the anthem suggested (archived):
An Instagram video posted by local ABC affiliate WABC showed the same crowd from a different angle, booing at the same moment (archived):
For further reading, Snopes confirmed Trump was both cheered and booed at the 2025 Super Bowl and that he was booed at an NFL game in November 2025.
Associated Press. “LIVE: Trump Arrives at Madison Square Garden for Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals.” YouTube, 8 June 2026, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw39VhiKbHc. Accessed 9 June 2026.
Ricketson, Teddy. “NYPD, Madison Square Garden Have Varying Statements on Why Game 3 Watch Party Was Canceled.” Yahoo Sports, 7 June 2026, sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nypd-madison-square-garden-have-varying-statements-on-why-game-3-watch-party-was-canceled-212828481.html. Accessed 9 June 2026.
ESPN. “President Trump in Attendance for Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York.” YouTube, 8 June 2026, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1csQlWNlAlo. Accessed 9 June 2026.
Izzo, Jack. “Trump Was Both Cheered and Booed at 2025 Super Bowl.” Snopes, Snopes.com, 10 Feb. 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-cheered-booed-super-bowl/. Accessed 9 June 2026.
Rascouët-Paz, Anna. “Trump Booed at Washington Commanders Game?” Snopes, Snopes.com, 10 Nov. 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-booed-commanders-game/. Accessed 9 June 2026.
Sblendorio, Peter. “How Broadway’s Avery Wilson Became the Knicks’ ‘Good-Luck Charm’ as National Anthem Singer throughout Playoff Run.” New York Daily News, 8 June 2026, www.nydailynews.com/2026/06/08/avery-wilson-knicks-good-luck-charm-national-anthem-singer-nba-finals/. Accessed 9 June 2026.
Anna Rascouët-Paz is based in Brooklyn, fluent in numerous languages and specializes in science and economic topics. Got tips? Reach out to her on Signal at rascouetsnopes.41 or via email at anna@snopes.com.
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