Trump booed and jeered at NBA Finals in New York

Donald Trump faced a hostile reception at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, with the crowd loudly booing and jeering him when he appeared on the video screens before Game 3 of the NBA finals. The boos erupted as the Star-Spangled Banner played, lasting for about eight seconds before cheers returned when images of Knicks players were shown.

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He could have picked any other day. This night is for the fans.

Trump, a self-proclaimed longtime Knicks fan, attended the game as a guest of team owner James Dolan. His presence added to the spectacle of the finals, with New York hosting its first NBA finals game since 1999. The Knicks entered the night with a 2-0 series lead over the Spurs, aiming for their first championship since 1973. The president watched the game from the owner's box, accompanied by his granddaughter Kai and cabinet members Doug Burgum and Sean Duffy.

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This looks like prison.

The event saw heightened security, including a 10-foot perimeter fence and a strict no-bag policy. Fans were advised to arrive two hours early, and Secret Service agents manned metal detectors. Some attendees expressed frustration with the security measures and Trump's appearance. "He could have picked any other day. This night is for the fans," said Knicks supporter Joanne Cadden, who felt Trump's presence detracted from the occasion and described the security as resembling a "prison."

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Should he be here? I don't think he should, but he's coming.

Others noted that while Trump was once a regular at the Garden, his current attendance felt different. "Should he be here? I don't think he should, but he's coming," said Rich Becker, a fan from Queens. He also worried that the extensive screening might cause fans to miss the start of the game.

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It changed everything. Should he be here? I don't think he should, but he's coming.