As the national anthem played, cameras inside Madison Square Garden focused on Trump, who stood and saluted. Almost immediately, a combination of cheers and boos echoed throughout the arena. The negative reaction from some sections of the crowd was clearly audible, but Trump appeared unaffected. He continued smiling and maintained his salute throughout the anthem without acknowledging the criticism.
Moments later, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the arena cameras moved away from Trump and focused on Knicks star Jalen Brunson. The boos quickly gave way to loud applause and cheers from fans eager to support their team.
Trump watched the game from a luxury suite owned by Knicks owner James Dolan. Several members of his administration joined him for the high-profile event, which attracted significant media attention both inside and outside the arena.
His presence also led to heightened security measures throughout the venue. Fans entering Madison Square Garden were required to follow a strict no-bag policy and pass through enhanced security checkpoints similar to those used at airports.
The increased security extended beyond the arena itself. Reports indicated that a planned watch party near Madison Square Garden was canceled, while security zones around the venue restricted both pedestrian and vehicle traffic across portions of midtown Manhattan.
Despite the mixed reception from the crowd during the national anthem, Trump showed no visible reaction. He remained smiling and composed as the boos continued around him, choosing not to respond while the moment unfolded before thousands of fans gathered for one of the biggest games of the NBA season.