Trump says he’s “too busy with a war” for Game 4 - after showing up to Game 3

When President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, he caused quite a disruption both inside and outside of Madison Square Garden. And fans were not quiet regarding their feelings about his presence at the game.

Now, Trump is suggesting he may not attend another game in the series because he’s busy with what he described as “a war”. He made that comment while speaking to reporters after Monday night’s game. Of course, the war in question can only be expected to take care of itself once a week, while Donny takes his nap at a basketball game. Now it’s back to work!

That war sure does come in handy when Trump wants to get out of things.

Trump gets booed - now he’s too busy for another game

Trump’s attendance at Game 3 was anything but low-key. Security measures around Madison Square Garden were significantly heightened, with multiple city blocks restricted and fans required to arrive much earlier than usual. In coordination with the Secret Service, the New York Police Department also shut down a planned watch party outside the arena, altering the experience not just for ticketholders but for thousands of fans in the surrounding area.

Inside the building, the reaction was immediate and unrelenting. When Trump appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem, he was met with loud boos that echoed throughout the arena. Similar reactions were reported at nearby watch events. Trump later downplayed the response, telling reporters he believed he heard “mostly cheers” and describing the reception as enthusiastic.

Yes, I can see the confusion.

So when Trump used “a war” - let’s assume the one in Iran, previously referred to as a “conflict” - as his excuse for not attending another game, it obviously caught attention, as fans were unaware it had paused for the night on Monday to allow him to attend Game 3.

The logistical footprint of his Game 3 appearance was substantial. His visit required extensive planning, security coordination, and visible disruption to the surrounding area. It was a deliberate, highly public outing, one that placed him front and center at one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

Whether Trump ultimately attends another game in the series remains uncertain, but there are early indications that Game 3 may have been a one-off. Local officials have suggested that the same level of security restrictions will not be in place for Game 4, hinting that another presidential visit is not currently expected. At the same time, Trump had previously said he might attend multiple Finals games, leaving the door open to a return. But considering his reception in New York, I wouldn’t expect him to be back at MSG any time soon.

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