Donald Trump was loudly booed by New York Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden during Monday night's NBA Finals game while granddaughter Kai Trump stood behind him
07:34 ET, 09 Jun 2026
President Donald Trump attends an NBA Finals playoff basketball game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York, Monday, June 8, 2026, with Kai Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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President Donald Trump, accompanied by granddaughter Kai Trump, attended an NBA Finals playoff basketball game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York on Monday(Image: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The reaction of Donald Trump's granddaughter when the President was booed by basketball fans at Madison Square Garden reveals a great deal about their bond. Mr. Trump, who claims to be a long-time New York Knicks supporter, attended the team's first home NBA Finals game in 27 years on Monday night - but was far from welcomed with open arms.
Thunderous jeers erupted when the President appeared on the Jumbotron alongside his granddaughter Kai Trump during the National Anthem. The teenager's response to the hostile crowd says everything about her close connection with her grandfather.
The 19 year old professional golfer, daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his former wife Vanessa, is the President's oldest grandchild. She gained widespread social media attention after she spoke backing her grandfather's re-election bid at the 2024 Republican Convention.
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She has previously opened up about how her family ties to the President have impacted her daily life. In a widely circulated social media clip, she remarked: "Fifty per cent of the world doesn't like me because of my last name."
She went on to say: "One time I was out in public and someone literally walked up to me to tell me that my grandpa sucks. I'm like, 'well, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to say that'. Like, great, what do you want me to say to that?"
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In footage capturing Mr. Trump being booed at Madison Square Garden on Monday, his granddaughter can be spotted standing directly behind him. She appears completely unrattled, and even seems to crack a slight smile as her grandfather salutes during the anthem, reports the Mirror US.
While the event was a landmark occasion for Knicks supporters, Mr. Trump's presence meant numerous fans encountered additional obstacles when trying to watch their team play. Secret Service personnel conducted TSA-style security screenings on attendees making their way to their seats, and an extensive security barrier was erected around the Garden. Roads were shut down to both cars and pedestrians within a 10-block radius surrounding the stadium from approximately four-and-a-half hours before tip-off.
Mr. Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, and earlier in the series, praised the Knicks' playoff campaign, along with team owner James Dolan. "Well, I've been a Knicks fan for a long time, and I'm also a Jim Dolan fan," Trump said last week.
"He's a nice guy, okay? He's been a long time wanting to win, and he's a competitive guy, and he's got a team that's amazing."
The San Antonio Spurs ultimately halted the Knicks' remarkable run, claiming game three of the NBA Finals 115-111 to narrow the series gap to 2-1. Despite the Knicks having strung together 13 straight victories throughout the playoffs, the Spurs managed to prevail in a fiercely contested matchup.
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Having dropped the first two home games, the Spurs stormed out to a 33-22 lead in the opening quarter, only for the Knicks to explode for 42 points in the second quarter to take a seven-point advantage.
That lead was wiped out in the third quarter as the Spurs clawed their way back in front by a single point, and they managed to hold onto that slim margin throughout the final period. Victor Wembanyama led the way for San Antonio with 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Stephon Castle chipped in with 23 points. Jalen Brunson posted 32 points for the Knicks.
Game four goes down in New York again on Wednesday, before the series heads back to San Antonio on Saturday.