Trump questioned – President Donald Trump said he didn’t see Victor Wembanyama’s arms-folded anthem moment clearly and questioned what the Spurs star meant, as the Knicks hold a 1-0 lead and Trump prepares to attend Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
Madison Square Garden is already buzzing ahead of Monday night, but the buzz started far earlier—in San Antonio, during the national anthem.
Before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, President Donald Trump reacted to a viral moment involving Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The France-born third-year player was seen standing with his arms folded while “The Star-Spangled Banner” played.
The pose sparked speculation. Since Wembanyama is not American, many people wondered whether the Finals—and the anthem moment in particular—was being used as a political statement.
No one asked Wembanyama about it after the game.
On Air Force One, OutKick reporter Dan Zaksheske asked President Trump for his thoughts on what Wembanyama did. The president responded that he hadn’t seen it clearly and wanted to understand the intent.
“I did not see that; is that what he did?” Trump said. “What did he mean by that?”
He was then told that no one had asked him about Wembanyama’s intent. Trump’s reply was blunt: “Well, I guess you have to ask him.”
Trump also said he watched Game 1 and gave his take on what he saw on the court. “I thought it was amazing,” he said. “I think the Knicks have an amazing team. The way they play; it started slow, and it’s just gotten stronger and stronger.”
He added: “Wemby looks like he’s going to be a great player, but (the Knicks) really played well.”
The Spurs and Knicks are now in the early lead phase of the series, with the Knicks up 1-0 after winning Game 1 by a score of 105-95.
Game 3—one Trump is set to attend—will be played on Monday night, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Donald Trump Victor Wembanyama Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals Madison Square Garden national anthem arms folded Game 3 8:30 p.m. ET
Why is Trump even talking about a basketball anthem pose lol
I thought folding arms during the anthem is like a protest? So are we sure he wasn’t trying to say something political? Feels sus.
I mean he said he didn’t see it clearly so what exactly is the big deal. But also if you’re not from here why you doing the arms thing, like couldn’t he just stand normal?
The Knicks up 1-0 and everybody’s arguing about arms folded… typical. Also people keep saying he’s not American like that automatically means he’s disrespecting something. Meanwhile Trump “watched Game 1” and said it was amazing, but then he can’t even see what Wembanyama did, so idk how that helps anything. Like ask him? sure, but who’s gonna ask when they didn’t ask after the game, right?