Donald Trump was on the receiving end of online mockery after appearing to “fall asleep” during Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
The president was also booed when he appeared on the Jumbotron and has now been accused of “jinxing” the Knicks’ run after they lost to a dominant Spurs team.
Trump’s health has remained a concern after he appeared to fall asleep even during cabinet meetings, prompting Secretary of State Marco Rubio to defend him before lawmakers in a recent session.
Donald Trump’s Historic Knicks Appearance Turns Into Viral Joke
Trump made history on Monday night by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game. However, his appearance at Madison Square Garden has since made him the subject of ridicule after a viral social media clip appeared to capture him “falling asleep.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez amplified the post on X by quoting it and writing, “WAKE TF UP.”
Before the game, speculation was rife that Trump would sit courtside. Instead, he watched from a suite behind what appeared to be bulletproof glass alongside his granddaughter, Kai Trump, and senior members of his cabinet, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Knicks owner James Dolan was also seen with the president during the game.
Trump’s Jumbotron Moment Draws Loud Boos
The evening started on a tense note for the native New Yorker and longtime Knicks fan. When his face appeared on the arena’s Jumbotron during Avery Wilson’s rendition of the national anthem, the crowd erupted into a thunderous chorus of boos and jeers.
Trump, who held a military salute during the moment, appeared unfazed. He later told reporters that the reception was “mostly cheers” and “very enthusiastic.”
His appearance at Madison Square Garden left Knicks fans divided. When reports first emerged that he would be attending the game, many pushed back online, suggesting he should stay away.
However, after the Knicks suffered a 115-111 home defeat to the Spurs in Game 3, some fans accused the billionaire politician of jinxing the team’s impressive run. The New York side had been on a 13-game playoff winning streak and was leading the series 2-0 against the Spurs.
Donald Trump’s Visit Forces Knicks Watch Party Cancellation
Many fans were already frustrated before the game, as they were subjected to hours of TSA-like security protocols before gaining entry to the venue. The fan-favorite outdoor watch party outside Madison Square Garden was also canceled as the New York Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service worked to ensure maximum security.
“There will be no watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 only,” a statement by the NYPD read, per ESPN. “This was done fully in coordination with the Secret Service because of the presidential visit. We expect watch parties at Madison Square Garden to resume for Game 4.”
At the time, Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s New York Field Office, acknowledged that the decision was difficult for fans, but said the agency still had to prioritize public safety.
“After careful coordination and assessment, the Secret Service and the NYPD jointly determined that outdoor watch parties could not be accommodated in the immediate vicinity of Madison Square Garden due to the security requirements associated with an event of this scale and the need to maintain a secure environment for protective operations,” he said.
Trump’s Knicks Visit Was Long In The Works
Meanwhile, the outdoor fan watch party was canceled only for Game 3 and is not expected to affect Game 4 on Wednesday. With the series now 2-1 in favor of the Knicks, there is still plenty to play for, especially for the Spurs, who will be looking to repeat their Game 3 heroics.
Trump himself is a longtime Knicks fan and will likely be hoping to see the team regain its form after Monday’s defeat. The Knicks had waited 27 years to reach this stage, and last won an NBA title in 1973, when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.
The president previously said he would have attended Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in May. However, the Knicks won four straight games, eliminating the need for a fifth game.
Donald Trump’s Sleepy Moment Revives Health Concerns
Trump’s health has remained a major talking point, especially after several checkups he has undergone in recent years. He recently completed a physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, after which doctors declared him to be in excellent health.
However, public scrutiny has persisted, especially after several clips appeared to show him sleeping or nodding off during official events, including high-level cabinet meetings. When Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week, he was asked about the president’s health.
Rubio dismissed the concerns as “absurd and ridiculous,” insisting that Trump works around the clock and never sleeps.
“You may not like his policies, you may not like the decisions he’s made. But I assure you, this is not a president that sleeps or is cognitively impaired in any way, shape, or form,” he said. “And in fact, he is incredibly active, much more so in many cases than much younger people that are around him. Those are facts.”