If you've been watching the NBA Finals, you know the first three games between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks have been nothing short of exciting. However, President Donald Trump didn't seem to be into last night's game. While attending Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8, he appeared to be asleep.
Videos by Wide Open Country
President Trump Was the First President to Attend the NBA Finals
President Trump made history last by being the first president to attend an NBA Finals game while in office. He came with his granddaughter, Kai Trump.
To prepare for his visit, security at the event had to be heightened. Reports stated that the New York Police Department and Secret Service put Madison Square Garden under "lockdown." Streets surrounding the venue were closed hours before tip-off. As a result, some nearby watch parties were canceled.
Said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, "No one will be allowed inside the secured area unless they have a ticket to the game, a train ticket, they are going to a business inside the area, they have credentials, or they have some other authorized reason to be there."
Even Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama had to be searched and checked with a metal detector by the Secret Service, as reported by PEOPLE.
Knicks Fans Booed the President
Trump's appearance at the game was reportedly met with boos. However, he later told the press that he believed it was "mostly cheers. It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic."
But President Trump faced more criticism online. When a video began circulating on social media showing him appearing to be asleep, fans and politicians took notice.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., wrote on X, "WAKE TF UP."
Added Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., asked, "He had watch parties shut down so he could go to the arena and sleep?"
On the ESPN show First Take yesterday morning, Stephen A. Smith said, "This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious."
He added, "It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game. I would say the same thing if it were Obama, George W., Clinton."
White House spokesperson David Ingle responded to the criticism surrounding President Trump's attendance in a statement.
"The President watched every moment of a highly competitive, entertaining contest from James Dolan's suite, joined by talented members of his Cabinet," he said. "Anyone ridiculously claiming the President was asleep is either lying or has severe brain damage."
