Trump booed in New York as he becomes first US president to attend NBA Finals

June 9, 2026

Donald Trump attended an NBA Finals game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, marking the first time a sitting US president had attended the finals. His presence triggered massive security measures that shut down surrounding streets and caused hours-long delays for ticketholders, disrupting the celebratory atmosphere of the Knicks' first Finals appearance since 1999. Trump was booed when shown on arena screens during the national anthem, though he later claimed the response was mostly positive.

Who is affected

Basketball fans and ticketholders who waited hours in security queues
Local bars and businesses around Madison Square Garden that lost customers due to street closures
Regular commuters who struggled to navigate the area
New York Knicks fans unable to celebrate normally or attend cancelled watch parties
Fans priced out by tickets costing over $10,000
New York Police Department officers (thousands deployed)
Secret Service officers (hundreds deployed)

What action is being taken

Streets around Madison Square Garden were shut down to foot and vehicle traffic
Thousands of NYPD officers and hundreds of Secret Service officers were deployed
Metal barriers were being put up at each block
Sports fans were facing airport-style security screenings

Why it matters

This event represents the intersection of presidential security requirements with major sporting events in densely populated urban areas, demonstrating how presidential appearances can significantly disrupt normal civic life and celebrations. The Knicks' first Finals appearance in 25 years was a historic moment for New York fans, but the security measures dampened the communal celebration and accessibility. The incident also highlights Trump's contentious relationship with his heavily Democratic hometown, where his presence elicited boos rather than cheers, and illustrates the tension between presidential privileges and public access to major cultural events, particularly given the already extreme ticket prices.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC