President Donald Trump is planning to watch the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals on Monday, and fans are far from thrilled about it. Trump, once a regular at Madison Square Garden in the 1990s and 2000s, is set to return to MSG for Game 3 at the invitation of owner James Dolan. This comes amid a historic playoff run that New Yorkers are celebrating in person, at packed watch parties, or through the chaotic scenes around the arena on game days.
As the team heads home with a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs this week, fans on social media are questioning whether Trump's planned attendance—along with the strict security measures that come with him—is ruining "the vibe."
"Regardless of who it is, this is ridiculous," wrote Knicks Muse, a fan account, on Instagram in response to MSG announcing a "strict no-bag policy" and "TSA-style screening procedures" for those attending Monday's game. "Everyone else's life has to be changed because one person is coming."
Other fans weighed in with similar sentiments. "If I spent 15k on a ticket, there isn't a chance in hell I'd take my shoes off to go through security," read one comment, referencing the nearly five-figure get-in price for the game. "Nobody wants bro there," read another.
However, some fans expressed a different view. "Hey, let him come. We're going to boo the f*** out of you, bro. Like, let him come," one New Yorker in a Knicks hat and shirt told MS NOW.
The Knicks wrote that fans are "strongly encouraged" to arrive at least two hours before tip-off "to allow additional time for screening and entry," with the U.S. Secret Service noting separately that there will be "hard street closures" around MSG.
Some social media users recalled that Trump's attendance has soured other major sporting events due to heightened security. For example, last year's men's U.S. Open final resulted in a delay to the start of the match and led to frustrated fans stuck in lines outside even as play kicked off.
Trump, in remarks to reporters last week, noted he is a "big fan" of the team and did not rule out attending Game 4, which is scheduled for Wednesday. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended the heightened security in and around MSG for Trump. "I think the fans are very understanding of that," he said. "I think they recognize that it adds to the bigness of the event."
