yahoo - 6/9/2026 8:30:34 AM - GMT (+2 )
President Donald Trump made an appearance at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks hosted the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which the Spurs won 115-111 on Monday, June 8.
It was a spectacle with the secret service and heightened protocol with Trump in the building. He was showered with boos when his face was shown on the arena jumbotron during the national anthem.
If that didn't anger New Yorkers enough, the Knicks losing surely did it. And one particular individual is casting the blame on Trump for showing up.
ESPN television personality Stephen A. Smith said during an episode of his podcast "The Stephen A. Smith Show" that he would blame Trump for his attendance at the game.
He explained how Trump going to the game would cause a stir with the added security and procedures in place that disrupted the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden.
"This is about an indivual engaging in a level of narcissism that really rakes my freakin' nerves. He's got no businesss here tonight. It has nothing to do with politics," Smith said. "It was everything to do with the ferver that exists around the New York Knicks and he is disrupting everything the Knicks have been vibing with."
After Game 3, Trump was asked about the game, the boos he received and particularly Smith's comments on the podcast.
"I think mostly cheers, it was loud and it was very enthusiastic," Trump said.
He continued after being asked about what Smith had to say about his attendance.
"I think he's a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ. I'm not sure that Stephen has that. I don't think he does actually," Trump told reporters.
President Trump responds to Stephen A. Smith's comment, saying that he would blame Trump if the Knicks lost tonight. pic.twitter.com/0HUNj8IeC1
— Underdog (@Underdog) June 9, 2026
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