New York Knicks fans have waited 27 years to watch their team play in an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden, but conservative activist Ann Coulter says a visit from President Donald Trump will make the experience much more difficult when it finally arrives on Monday, June 8.
“Of all the selfish, narcissistic things Trump has done, attending MSG to see the Knicks play in person Monday night is the absolute worst,” Coulter, 64, wrote via X on Sunday, June 7. “20,000 attendees will be MASSIVELY inconvenienced for all the extra security, the Knicks Watch Party at Garden Is canceled, thousands of extra law enforcement officers will be required (paid for by taxpayers), traffic will be a disaster — all so he can sit in the Garden rather than watch the game on TV.”
Coulter, who has a history of supporting Trump, 79, in the past, has become more critical of him in recent years.
She added in her post, “Presidents ought to be willing to sacrifice once in a while.”
Trump is an outspoken New York sports fan, and confirmed last week that he plans to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Due to the added security needed for a presidential visit, the massive watch party that has been held for playoff games outside of the Garden has been canceled.
The cancellation came amid public outcry, made worse by the exorbitant ticket prices that are pricing out thousands of fans. Though costs have since come down on the secondary market, SeatGeek shows that as of Monday afternoon, it will still cost at least $4,500 just to get in the building for Game 3.
Trump, who told reporters last week that he was invited by team owner James Dolan and “numerous people,” was asked about ticket prices last week, when the get-in cost was over $8,000.
“You can watch it on television,” he said of the priced-out fans. “It’s sort of semi-free to watch it on television. That’s the way life goes… If the team wasn’t a big success, tickets would go very easily… but that’s the way life is.”
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani will also be at Game 3. He announced on Monday that he bought a standing room only ticket from Madison Square Garden for almost $1,000. Mamdani, 34, also announced that the city will hold a viewing party in Bryant Park to make up for the canceled gathering outside the arena.
“The @nyknicks are home and our city is ready to show out,” Mamdani wrote via X on Monday. “We’re hosting a free watch party for 5,000 New Yorkers tonight in Bryant Park.”
The Knicks and Spurs will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. New York holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
