‘The View’ co-host backs controversial Trump decision despite being political enemies
She's Trump's political nemesis, but she agrees with him on this one.
Ryan Cooper 
Despite their long-standing political rivalry, Whoopi Goldberg is setting aside her differences with Donald Trump regarding his controversial plan to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The co-host of The View is siding with the president on this specific move, rooted in their shared status as die-hard New York Knicks fans.
A Madison Square Garden Showdown
The Knicks are making their first Finals appearance since 1999, and the anticipation is high. President Trump is slated to watch Monday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs from the luxury box of Knicks owner James Dolan. He will be joined by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who confirmed he will be at the arena with a standing-room-only ticket.
Goldberg, who grew up in New Jersey, defended the presence of both politicians during Monday's broadcast. "I’m sorry, Trump and Mayor Mamdani are Knicks fans, and have been. They’re New Yorkers," she told the audience.
Focus on the Court
The Knicks currently hold a 2-0 series lead over the Spurs and are riding a 13-game playoff win streak. For Goldberg, the political optics surrounding the visit are secondary to the team's pursuit of a championship. "There’s nothing either one of them can do to change what’s happening in this city for this team," she remarked. "I don’t think anything can jinx anything. I think these guys are on a mission. They’re like the Blues Brothers, they’re on a mission from God."
Conflicting Perspectives
While Goldberg is unfazed, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from elsewhere in the political sphere. Conservative pundit and former Trump supporter Ann Coulter publicly blasted the president’s attendance.
In a post on X, Coulter labeled the appearance "the absolute worst" and claimed that 20,000 attendees would be "massively inconvenienced" due to security requirements, the cancellation of a nearby watch party, and expected traffic disruptions.
Despite the backlash and potential logistical headaches for fans in the city, the atmosphere inside the Garden remains focused on the team, with Goldberg noting that once the game begins, the focus will remain entirely on the action on the floor.
