Leading up to Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, much of the conversation centered around President Donald Trump and his plans to attend the game. At one point, reports suggested Trump would be sitting courtside for the highly anticipated matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. That plan ultimately changed just hours before tip-off, as the President announced he would instead watch the game from a luxury suite.
Even before arriving at MSG, however, Trump had already become part of the storyline thanks to comments made by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith.
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MORE: President Donald Trump will no longer sit courtside for NBA Finals Game 3
Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off
Jun 5, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Stephen A. Smith looks on before the game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks in game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Never one to shy away from sharing his opinion, Smith spent part of his show discussing Trump’s attendance at the game.
During his remarks, Smith suggested that Trump should not be attending and even joked that if the Knicks lost, the President would somehow be responsible. Smith, in the past, has also floated the idea that perhaps he should run for president himself someday, adding another layer to the feud.
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As expected, the comments quickly spread across social media, drawing reactions from sports fans and political observers alike. At the time, many wondered whether Trump would respond. The answer didn’t take long to arrive.
Trump Delivers Classic Response
President Donald J. Trump speaks at a rally in the fieldhouse at Rockland Community College May 22, 2026.
Following New York’s tough loss to San Antonio, Trump addressed Smith’s comments during an interview and did not hold back.
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In typical Trump fashion, the President fired back by taking aim at Smith’s intelligence and dismissing the ESPN star’s criticism. While the exact exchange is already making the rounds online, the bigger takeaway is that Trump clearly heard what Smith had to say and wasn’t interested in letting it slide.
The back-and-forth immediately became one of the most talked-about off-court storylines from Game 3.
Just the Beginning?
If history is any indication, this feud may be far from over.
Both Trump and Smith are known for speaking their minds publicly and rarely backing down from a verbal battle. With the NBA Finals still underway and both men possessing massive platforms, it would not be surprising to see additional responses in the coming days.
The Knicks may have lost Game 3, but the war of words between Trump and Stephen A. Smith appears to be just getting started.
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