Donald Trump’s Presence Forcing Knicks to Cancel MSG Watch Parties Angers Social Media – “Fans Have Waited 50 Years”

Security will be at its peak when President Donald Trump's convoy arrives for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Donald Trump’s Presence Forcing Knicks to Cancel MSG Watch Parties Angers Social Media – “Fans Have Waited 50 Years”

Donald Trump will be at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 (Image via FirstSportz)

With the New York Knicks up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals, they know they are on the verge of something they haven’t felt for more than five decades. President Donald Trump, a true native of the city, will also be there to revel in something that he, too, has waited to see happen.

The soon-to-be 80-year-old is one of those few who have witnessed the Knicks win the 1973 championship, and then go winless in all this time.

Since no team has ever lost the title after winning the first two in their opponents’ house, many believe it is a foregone conclusion that this is the year New Yorkers can celebrate.

The President is not just jumping on the winning streak, as his presence at Madison Square Garden was confirmed before the Finals started.

Ahead of Game 2, he confirmed that he will be present for Game 3. Naturally, that meant the city, and particularly the spaces around the Garden, would experience heightened security.

The franchise announced that there would be a strict no-bag policy, and has asked fans to bring as few personal items as they can. After all, Donald Trump is the most powerful man in the world, and keeping him secure is the priority.

The Knicks also advised fans to arrive at least two hours before Game 3 starts, as there would be TSA-style screening at the Garden. But what infuriated fans was the cancellation of watch parties in and around the iconic venue.

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Cancelled watch parties infuriate fans

FOX News managed to obtain a statement from the NYPD that canceled watch parties outside Madison Square Garden. Even though the Knicks have not officially said so, fans believe the mere arrival of Donald Trump has caused this.

More than they blamed the President, fans took aim at the Knicks, the NYPD, and the city’s security management services for these cancellations.

They felt that the city’s basketball fans had been waiting for more than five decades for this, only to be denied what could have been one of the greatest moments in the franchise’s history. Check out examples of those infuriated responses below.

Stephen A. Smith had warned his fellow Queens native, Donald Trump, and asked him not to attend Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. He reiterated that the pandemonium will be heightened with the President’s arrival. But it seems the real estate mogul is not listening to anyone.

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OG Anunoby does not think Donald Trump’s presence will be extra motivation

It is unclear whether Donald Trump will be seated courtside at Madison Square Garden or take his place in the suites, just as he has done at NFL games this past season.

Donald Trump at an NBA game at Madison Square Garden
Donald Trump at an NBA game at Madison Square Garden (Image via NBA Central/X)

New York’s band of celebrities will be courtside. But when asked whether the 47th President’s presence will add an extra level of motivation to the Knicks, OG Anunoby said this:

He’ll just be there watching the game. We’re going to go as usual, play our game. Try to win the game.

OG Anunoby replied

The forward’s response echoes the mindset the team has right now. Even though they are up two games, they are not taking it casually, knowing Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs could cause a revenge upset.

The last thing Anunoby and his teammates want is for that to happen in front of their faithful and the country’s most important leader. They will be looking to close this one out at home.

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