New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson became a focal point of conversation when his reaction to President Donald Trump attending an NBA game went viral. This sparked curiosity about whether he supported the president in the election.
Trump’s presence in sports arenas has often been a topic of controversy. Many teams and players have previously declined White House visits to celebrate victories. During Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, fans voiced frustrations over heightened security for Trump’s visit. Moreover, Knicks star Josh Hart’s 2020 tweet that celebrated Trump’s election defeat resurfaced, adding fuel to the fire.
Before the game, a TikTok user named Eren uploaded a video suggesting Robinson could perform better with Trump as a spectator. The video juxtaposed young Allen Iverson’s gameplay against Michael Jordan in the past, with Robinson adding in the comments, “You ain’t lying, brother.” Robinson had previously shared a photo of himself holding an American flag, prompting a comment about Trump support to which Robinson responded, “I got one.”
Efforts to reach Robinson for comments were unsuccessful at the time of publishing. According to voter registration records reviewed by Newsweek, Robinson is listed as a registered Republican in Louisiana. He registered in September 2024, previously not declaring a party in 2020. However, Robinson’s true sentiments about Trump remain unclear. On another TikTok post, Robinson claimed he was joking about his comments, adding that Trump’s presence at the game seemed inconsequential in a pre-game ESPN interview. “Cool, I guess,” he stated, emphasizing that the team’s focus remained on playing well.
In 2018, Robinson’s teammate Karl-Anthony Towns criticized Trump on social media for his remarks against LeBron James. Towns challenged Trump to focus on real issues such as the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, rather than basketball interviews. When asked about his relationship with Towns via TikTok, Robinson replied with a shrugged shoulders emoji, indicating a nonchalant attitude. Prior to the game, Towns expressed that the team aimed to maintain hope and perform well for their fans.
Knicks forward OG Anunoby remarked that Trump’s presence would unlikely alter the team’s gameplay. They remained steadfast in their goal to win the match.
The arrival of Trump’s motorcade faced boos from some fans outside the arena, and further discontent surfaced when he appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem. However, supporters cited ‘USA!’ chants as a sign of patriotism, although there was no direct reference to Trump.
Many Knicks fans expressed dissatisfaction over the excessive security at Madison Square Garden. The measures included advising attendees to arrive early and canceling outdoor watch parties due to security threats. Non-ticket holders were barred from entering the vicinity. Knicks player Jose Alvarado shared that fans relocated their watch parties to Bryant Park. “We improvise,” he said, underscoring the resilient spirit of New Yorkers who always find a means to enjoy the game.
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