James Dolan’s Knicks Get Presidential Boost as Donald Trump Confirms MSG Finals Appearance

There is no sliver of doubt that James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks, is a proud supporter of the republican party, and by extension, President Donald Trump.

Over the years, he has doubled down on his support for the Grand Old Party and has funded the current President’s 2020 re-election campaign.

Even though Trump lost that race, Dolan’s support has not wavered. In fact, he stepped up his efforts when he allowed the GOP to use the famed Madison Square Garden for his 2024 campaign rally in New York.

That stunt came with a lot of backlash, but the 71-year-old was not bothered. Clips from the rally were used to condemn Trump, his supporters, and Dolan.

That unbothered attitude has made him quite a lot of enemies and even stopped a certain LeBron James from joining his Knicks. It may have been for the better, after the King left no stone unturned to criticize Donald Trump over the years.

Now, after the team swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to reach the NBA Finals, the billionaire is about to do something that might not sit well with many.

I was going to go on Wednesday, but they closed it out very quickly. Jim Dolan is a good guy… he’s had a good year… I think I’ll be going to one of the games. I was invited by numerous people and Jim.

Donald Trump told reporters

Q: Are you going to the Knicks game?

TRUMP: I was going to go on Wednesday, but they closed it out very quickly. I think I'll be going to one of the games. pic.twitter.com/UvQXxtqzXl

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 27, 2026

This was the President confirming rumors that he was invited to an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden. Considering that Games 3 & 4 are scheduled at Madison Square Garden, expect Trump to make his first appearance at an NBA game after a very long time.

Donald Trump’s expected appearance at Knicks game triggers political trolls

With Donald Trump confirming he would appear at Madison Square Garden to watch and support James Dolan’s New York Knicks in the upcoming NBA Finals, it was bound to draw a lot of attention.

The President is a longtime Knicks fan despite Dolan’s affinity. He grew up in the city and has built most of his businesses there. But regardless of that, his expected presence was bound to trigger some backlash.

I’d ask him to name the starting lineup of the 1993 Championship team and see how he does.

Kathy Hochul said

The Governor of New York essentially tried to one-up the President with a bit of Knicks trivia. She referred to the 1993 Knicks team and wondered if Trump could name their starting lineup.

“I’d ask him to name the starting lineup of the 1993 Championship team and see how he does."

New York Governor Kathy Hochul forgot that the Knicks last won in 1973 when asked about Donald Trump's Knicks fandom. 😬 pic.twitter.com/ouFbEiGYQE

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 27, 2026

The problem with this retort is that the 93 team did not win the championship, as Kathy Hochul referred. Instead, they went to the Conference Finals, but lost to Michael Jordan‘s Chicago Bulls.

James Dolan’s Knicks to donate 500 NBA Finals tickets to underprivileged youth

Kathy Hochul’s snarky comment might come back to bite her, but what is a given is how many would react the moment Donald Trump appears at Madison Square Garden.

The President’s moment with New York Giants quarterback Jaxon Dart at another New York rally triggered a lot of backlash from the football community.

Considering the soon-to-be 80-year-old’s relationship with NBA players and fans, the NBA Finals might just go viral for all the wrong reasons. But James Dolan is doing what he feels is right, and will try to even out matters with a philanthropic gesture.

As per SNY’s Ian Begley, the father of six, through his Madison Square Garden Sports, is going to hand out 250 tickets to underprivileged youth of the Garden of Dreams Foundation.

MSG says the Knicks will donate at least 500 free tickets for NBA Finals home games to underprivileged Garden of Dreams Foundation youth. Underserved New York families affiliated with GDF will receive from the team 250 tickets per home game – totaling at least 500 tickets across… pic.twitter.com/QFi5IptQF4

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 27, 2026

He would do that for Games 3 and 4, and extend it to Game 6 if needed. That means a total of 750 tickets would be handed out at a time when prices of MSG NBA Finals tickets are going through the roof.

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