Donald Trump booed at Madison Square Garden during NBA Finals

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President Donald Trump attends Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks, Monday, June 8, 2026, in New York. (Photo/AP)US President Donald Trump was loudly booed at Madison Square Garden in New York when he appeared on the arena’s video screens during the national anthem before the NBA Finals.Fans initially chanted “U-S-A! U-S-A!” as the rendition of the national anthem by Avery Wilson was played. The mood immediately shifted when Trump appeared on the arena’s jumbo screens, prompting loud boos from the crowd.The jeers subsided when the US flag was displayed, and fans cheered when the New York Knicks appeared on screen.Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One for his return to Washington, Trump said he believed the reception was largely positive.“It was, I think, mostly cheers,” he said. “It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic.”Trump watched Game 3 of the NBA Finals from Knicks owner James Dolan’s suite, along with granddaughter Kai, personal adviser Boris Epshteyn and Cabinet secretaries Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy and Doug Burgum.The US president sat alongside Dolan during the first quarter before spending part of the second quarter talking to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman.Story continues below this adTrump’s attendance marked the first time a sitting US president attended an NBA Finals game.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:donald trump