Did Donald Trump fall asleep during NBA Finals after being booed? ‘Wake TF up’
The president was at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Mason Reed 
Madison Square Garden played host to a historic scene on Monday night as Donald Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. The visit coincided with a dramatic shift in the series, as Victor Wembanyama put on a masterclass to help the San Antonio Spurs secure a 115-111 victory, trimming the Knicks' series lead to 2-1.
A Hostile Reception and Social Media Buzz
The president's appearance drew immediate attention when he was featured on the arena's video screens during the national anthem. Fans inside the arena made their feelings known with a chorus of boos. Speaking with reporters before boarding Air Force One to head back to Washington, Trump offered a different take on the atmosphere, claiming, "It was, I think, mostly cheers. It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic," per The Associated Press.
Beyond the reaction from the crowd, online observers zeroed in on footage that appeared to show the president dozing off during the action. The moment gained significant traction on social media, prompting Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to weigh in with a blunt post: "Wake TF up."
Game Details and Suite Attendance
Trump viewed the game from the suite of Knicks owner James Dolan. His company included his granddaughter, Kai, adviser Boris Epshteyn, and Cabinet secretaries Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy, and Doug Burgum. During the opening frame, he sat beside Dolan, later spending time in the second quarter in conversation with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.
On the floor, the night marked a frustrating end to a dominant run for the Knicks. The Spurs handed New York their first loss in 46 days, snapping a 13-game winning streak—the second-longest in NBA postseason history. The Knicks had previously been undefeated since an April 23 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, having swept through Philadelphia and Cleveland before taking the first two games of this Finals series. They remain in pursuit of their first title since 1973.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
