US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a blockbuster return to the MSG to watch his favorite team, the New York Knicks, in the NBA finals. Trump has been public about his love for the franchise and his admiration for owner James Dolan, who also owns the Rangers and the Knicks’ homecourt.
Trump’s potential presence only adds to the high-profile list of attendees who have consistently sat courtside through all three rounds in support of the Knicks. Ben Stiller, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Spike Lee, Jason Sudeikis, Tracy Morgan and many others have been at the games this postseason.
The New York Times was the first to report on the possibility of Trump coming to MSG for the Knicks.
“President Trump is considering making an appearance at the N.B.A. finals next week, a rarity for an American leader, after his hometown New York Knicks clinched a championship spot, according to three people familiar with the matter,” the report said.
“An appearance by Mr. Trump at Madison Square Garden would be the latest incidence of a high-profile sports event serving as a backdrop for his presidency. Mr. Trump last year showed up at the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, the U.S. Open men’s final and a Yankees game.”
The report added that Donald Trump had planned a surprise appearance for a potential Game 5 between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers had the team failed to close the series on the road on Monday.
Interestingly, Trump’s last appearance at a Knicks game was also against the Cavaliers on Dec. 4, 2014, as he watched LeBron James take on Carmelo Anthony and lead Cleveland to a 90-87 win. Trump attended that game with Fox broadcasting personality Bill O’Reilly.
President Donald Trump and Knicks owner James Dolan have a longstanding relationship
President Donald Trump and Knicks owner James Dolan have been friends for a long time. Dolan has donated to multiple campaigns despite being a Democrat. He’s invested roughly half a million dollars in Trump’s campaigns. In 2016, Dolan donated $300,000 to support his friend of over 30 years. In 2002, Dolan held his second wedding at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
Their relationship remains strong and recently, after the Knicks swept the 76ers in the conference semis, Trump confirmed he was rooting for the team and congratulated Dolan for the win.
“I get along with Jim Dolan, I think he’s a really good guy,” Trump said on TalkRadio 77 WABC. “Boy, some of these players have turned out to be great players. Philadelphia is a tough team – their center [Joel] Embiid is a big guy – and you thought those games would be good, but they were winning by 35 points. I really like Jim Dolan a lot. I’m really happy for him and the team.”
Donald Trump’s office has yet to confirm his presence at the NBA finals as suggested by the New York Times’ report.
