Trump’s attendance – President Donald Trump says he will attend Knicks home games in the NBA Finals against the Spurs, praising Victor Wembanyama and asking how New York will guard him. With New York’s return to home Finals games since 1999 and security expected to be stepped up f
When the NBA Finals tipped toward New York, the biggest added pressure may not be on the court. It’s on the entry line.
On Thursday, June 4, President Donald Trump spoke to reporters from the Oval Office about the Knicks vs. Spurs series, including who he’s most focused on guarding once games arrive at Madison Square Garden. New York escaped Game 1 with a 10-point victory on Wednesday. June 3. and Trump said he watched the end of that game after missing stretches of it because he was “talk[ing] to generals all night long.”.
“I saw the beginning of the game, and it was not looking good,” Trump said. “I missed the middle because I talk to generals all night long now, but I watched the end of that game and they were dominant, really amazing.”
His attention then zeroed in on Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama—standing out not just as a highlight-maker, but as a defensive problem.
“Wemby is a great player,” Trump said. “I say: ‘How do you guard this guy?’ — 7-foot-5 and he’s got a great shot, right? They find a way to do it. They’re a great team, and I’m happy for Jim (Dolan) because Jim has been fighting really hard to produce such a team.”
Trump also confirmed that Knicks owner James Dolan invited him to attend Knicks home games. He didn’t lay out a detailed schedule at the time, but he left little doubt he intends to be there for the later New York home dates: Game 3 on Monday, June 8 and Game 4 on Wednesday, June 10.
“The answer is: yes, he has invited me and I’m going,” Trump said. “Could be Monday — maybe I’ll do both.”
That decision lands at a moment the Knicks haven’t experienced in a long time. The team will play its first home NBA Finals games since 1999, and New York is still chasing its first title in 53 years.
Ticket demand has already surged. The games at Madison Square Garden are quickly becoming some of the most expensive tickets in sports history. And with Trump expected to attend, the crowd dynamic—inside the arena and beyond it—has been described as frenetic, with security bolstered in kind.
Trump said the added presence could spill into the everyday experience of fans heading to the venue.
“Security will be bolstered in kind, which could create longer-than-normal waiting times to get into the venue,” his remarks pointed to, reinforcing how the logistics of sports events can change when a president is part of the crowd.
He framed his connection to the moment in personal terms, saying he’s been a Knicks fan “for a long time” and also described Dolan as someone he supports.
“Well, I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time, and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan,” Trump said. “He’s a nice guy, OK? He spent a long time wanting to win, and he’s a competitive guy. He’s got a team that’s amazing.”
The sequence of Trump’s comments ties together three realities that fans will feel immediately: the Knicks’ rare home Finals return, the unique challenge posed by Wembanyama, and the way high-stakes attention at Madison Square Garden can turn ticket lines into a test of patience.
Trump Knicks Spurs NBA Finals security Madison Square Garden Wembanyama Dolan
Why is this even a news story? Just watch basketball.
Security question??? Like he’s worried about the Spurs fans or something. Also he said Wemby like that’s the whole problem lol. I’m confused how this affects the Knicks scoring.
So Trump’s “talking to generals” and then he watches the end of Game 1 and decides the defense plan is about Wemby’s height?? I mean yeah he’s tall but that’s every center, right? They’ll figure it out on the court. This sounds like politics trying to be sports, but maybe Knicks defense actually needs the extra cameras or something.
Madison Square Garden security for Trump like it’s the whole secret service show. Meanwhile I read somewhere they been trying to get cameras fixed since 1999 so idk what’s true. Also James Dolan inviting him is just so on brand, rich people love attention. Hopefully Wemby doesn’t get “unguarded” because everybody’s too busy guarding Trump walking in or whatever.