{"id":2612090,"date":"2026-06-08T16:45:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-bringing-an-entourage-and-security-disruption-to-nba-finals\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T16:47:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:47:04","slug":"trump-bringing-an-entourage-and-security-disruption-to-nba-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-bringing-an-entourage-and-security-disruption-to-nba-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump bringing an entourage and security disruption to NBA Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-bringing-an-entourage-and-security-disruption-to-nba-finals%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2612090&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>President Donald Trump is set to attend Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan Monday night,but New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani isn\u2019t expected to be among the president\u2019s guests or to meet with him.Mamdani said he bought a standing-room-only ticket for the game, while the White House has not detailed the president\u2019s exact seating plans or who else will accompany him.<\/p>\n<p>White House personnel likely attending include communications director Steven Cheung and Office of Presidential Personnel director Dan Scavino. Trump campaign-endorsed New York governor candidate Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he plans to meet Trump before the game. Other prominent New York Republicans tied to Trump\u2019s circle indicated they would not attend.<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s visit is also disrupting fan plans: MSG canceled an outdoor watch party due to security requirements,and Mamdani said the city will instead host a watch party at Bryant Park. The NYPD shut down vehicle and pedestrian traffic around MSG earlier in the day, with access for those holding game or train tickets.<\/p>\n<p>Some commentators have been critical of Trump\u2019s appearance,and the article notes the possibility of political backlash if the Knicks lose while he\u2019s in attendance. There\u2019s also a chance Trump returns for Game 4 on Wednesday if the Knicks advance.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4598679\/trump-israel-iran-discussing-immediate-ceasefire-renewed-fighting\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> descends on Manhattan Monday night, he\u2019ll be joined by a pair of top White House aides and at least one Republican gubernatorial hopeful, but New York City Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/zohran-mamdani\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11802\">Zohran Mamdani <\/a>will be far away from the action, both on and off the court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mamdani said at a Monday afternoon press conference that he paid nearly $1,000 for a standing-room-only ticket for Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. The White House <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4594798\/nba-knicks-trump-mamdani\/\">did not indicate<\/a> Trump would meet with Mamdani during the president\u2019s visit to the Big Apple.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4599535\/stephen-smith-calls-trump-narcissistic-attend-knicks-game\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Stephen A. Smith calls Trump \u2018narcissistic\u2019 for attending Knicks game<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4594798\/nba-knicks-trump-mamdani\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump and Mamdani unlikely to meet at Knicks game<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4598270\/knicks-security-trump-nba-finals\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Knicks implement \u2018strict\u2019 security measures with Trump in town for NBA Finals<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, the White House played its cards close to the chest when discussing just who exactly will join the president for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, or where he will be seated. Knicks owner James Dolan is close with the president, having previously donated to Trump\u2019s political operation and allowing him to hold a campaign rally at MSG in 2024. Public speculation expects Trump to sit in the owner\u2019s box Monday night.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4597044\/trump-meet-ai-companies-white-house-explores-public-stake-industry\/\">Trump<\/a>, a lifelong Knicks fan, will bring at least White House communications director Steven Cheung and Office of Presidential Personnel director Dan Scavino, according to persons familiar with the president\u2019s plans. Both men have frequently attended sporting events with Trump. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/most-americans-think-another-trump-presidential-run-would-be-bad-for-the-country-poll-shows\/\" title=\"Most Americans Think Another Trump Presidential Run Would Be Bad For The Country, Poll Shows\">endorsed candidate<\/a> in the 2026 New York governor\u2019s race, said over the weekend that he will meet with the president before the game and might grab \u201ca hamburger\u201d with him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4596752\/trump-strong-jobs-report-boost-stocks-despite-market-slide\/\">Trump<\/a>\u2018s inner circle is chock-full of New York Republicans, but several told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that they would not make it to the Garden on Monday night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) said in a statement that he would be \u201crooting for the Knicks from Washington, D.C., [Monday] evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWith as many jobs as Texas has been taking from New York lately, it\u2019ll be nice to see the Knicks bring something valuable back from Texas for a change,\u201d he wrote. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marc Molinaro, Trump\u2019s Federal Transit Administration administrator and a former New York congressman, similarly said he was \u201cnot able to attend\u201d alongside the president.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Andrew Giuliani, the director of Trump\u2019s White House FIFA World Cup task force, all have close ties to the city but did not respond to comments about attending Game 3.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter who he brings, Trump\u2019s appearance at MSG is throwing a major wrench in the viewing and attendance plans for everyday Knicks fans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MSG announced that Trump\u2019s visit forced the Knicks to cancel plans for Game 3\u2019s outdoor viewing party outside the arena. Thousands of fans attended the watch parties for Games 1 and 2, both played in San Antonio, and saw the Knicks claim victory after mounting fourth-quarter comebacks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, Mamdani said Monday that the city will host a viewing party instead at Bryant Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese watch parties have become a celebration of New York City itself,\u201d Mamdani said. \u201cFrom every borough and every neighborhood, this city has come together to cheer on the Knicks and share in a moment that belongs to all of us. That\u2019s why we\u2019re adding Bryant Park as an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-and-mamdani-not-likely-to-meet-at-knicks-game\/\" title=\"Trump and ... not likely to ... at ...\">additional watch party location<\/a>, so even more fans can be part of this incredible Knicks Finals run. Whether you join us in Bryant Park, Central Park or at Brooklyn Bowl, we invite New Yorkers to come together and support our team. Let\u2019s go Knicks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though Trump isn\u2019t scheduled to fly from his private club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to Manhattan until the 7 p.m. hour, the New York Police Department shut down 15 blocks surrounding MSG to vehicular and pedestrian traffic at 4 p.m., though people with game and train tickets are allowed inside the security quadrant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales defended the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-military-asks-public-for-help-after-f-35-goes-missing-in-mishap\/\" title=\"US Military seeks public assistance in locating missing F-35 after incident.\">enhanced security protocols<\/a> that Trump\u2019s attendance would impose on ticketed fans and city residents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSports are at the forefront of American culture, and President Trump loves them as the people\u2019s president,\u201d she wrote to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cAs a lifelong fan, the president looks forward to watching the Knicks compete to bring home their first NBA championship in more than 50 years at Madison Square Garden tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A White House official additionally told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the administration \u201cappreciates the Secret Service and NYPD\u2019s efforts in ensuring this historic game not only is safe, but a pleasurable experience for all attendees.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, there\u2019s a chance that Trump may return to New York City on Wednesday night to attend Game 4, especially if the Knicks win on Monday. He told reporters at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4594088\/trump-makes-splash-oval-office-chart-reflecting-pool-skyscrapers\/\">White House<\/a> last week that Dolan invited him to both Games 3 and 4 and that he was considering attending \u201cboth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ESPN host and NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith, often discussed as a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >dark-horse 2028 presidential candidate<\/a>, excoriated Trump\u2019s Monday jaunt to MSG.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis president has no business showing up in New York City,\u201d Smith said on ESPN Monday, claiming that Trump has not attended a Knicks game since the 1990s. \u201cIt is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4599535\/stephen-smith-calls-trump-narcissistic-attend-knicks-game\/\">STEPHEN A. SMITH CALLS TRUMP \u2018NARCISSISTIC\u2019 FOR ATTENDING KNICKS GAME<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, Smith argued that if the Knicks, who have not won an NBA championship in 53 years, lose games with Trump in the crowd, Republicans might <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trudeau-blames-americans-for-canadian-freedom-protests-gridlock\/\" title=\"Trudeau Blames Americans For Canadian Freedom Protests, Gridlock\">face political backlash<\/a> in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I\u2019m blaming him,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI\u2019m blaming the president of the United States! I\u2019m gonna stay on that. And damnit, I hope the GOP loses votes because of it if we lose tonight! I\u2019m gonna be against them. All of them! I\u2019m telling you right now. We better not lost tonight\u2019s game.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump visits Manhattan with aides and GOP hopeful; Mamdani stays away<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2612091,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26155713493801_03b6e4.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[80978,3646,3634],"class_list":["post-2612090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-nba-finals","tag-security","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26155713493801_03b6e4.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2612090"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612090\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2612094,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612090\/revisions\/2612094"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2612091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2612090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2612090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2612090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}