Donald Trump ruthlessly booed during national anthem at Madison Square Garden as furious Knicks fans make their feelings clear at NBA Finals

Donald Trump and his grandson Kai grinned amid vicious boos from New York Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

The president shut down much of Manhattan before arriving for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, erected a steel ring around the famous arena and watched as parties were canceled in anticipation of his arrival in the Big Apple.

Many accused the president of being ‘selfish’ for deciding to attend New York’s big homecoming night, and fans made their feelings clear ahead of the game when it was shown on the jumbotron inside MSG.

During the Star Spangled Banner, boos, described as ‘loud’ according to the White House’s official pool report, rang around the arena for approximately 10 seconds before the camera panned to the players on the field.

The president flashed a wry smile at the crowd as he saluted, then raised his fist for the anthem sung by Grammy Award-nominated artist Avery Wilson.

His grandson Kai, standing next to him, also appeared to be smiling at the boos as the pair watched from behind protective screens.

President brutally greeted by Knicks fans ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals

Trump greets crowd but is met with ‘loud’ boos from passionate Knicks fans

Outside the arena, Trump was greeted by profanity-filled signs and angry Knicks fans.

Knicks fans at Bryant Park viewing party make their feelings toward the president clear

Instead of the coveted $50,000 courtside seat for the Spurs-Knicks Game 3 game, the president was sitting behind bulletproof glass in a suite on the middle floor of MSG.

Besides Kai, he was joined by Knicks owner James Dolan, who wore a bright orange suit, as well as interior secretary Doug Burgum and transportation secretary Sean Duffy.

Deafening boos gave way to wild cheers as the Jumbotron morphed from Trump to Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson.

Meanwhile, outside the arena, thousands of fans who had spent eye-watering amounts of money for their tickets were forced to line up for hours in the New York heat.

All fans entering MSG went through extra security checks and metal detectors before entering, and the steel ring meant fans were subjected to waits so long they were in danger of missing tip-off.

Trump arrived in Manhattan by helicopter to the Wall Street Landing Zone, and his motorcade then raced toward Madison Square Garden.

The president was subjected to middle fingers and thumbs from the New York public on his way to the arena, the White House pool reported.

The president was flanked by his grandson Kai (left) and Knicks owner James Dolan (center).

Trump waves to Knicks fans as he arrives at Madison Square Garden

Many fans were left outside as the president’s motorcade arrived at MSG shortly after 7:30 p.m.

Several people held signs saying ‘No one wants you here’, ‘Trump must go’ and two others said ‘Impeach’. Prisoner. To pick up.’

At the southwest corner of 34th St and 8th Ave., videos on social media showed anti-Trump protesters holding signs saying “See you in hell” and “Trump must go now.”

Over the weekend, Trump sparked an angry reaction from New Yorkers when he announced he planned to travel to Manhattan to watch the game.

The President was also asked about his reaction to exorbitant ticket prices; This increased anger, with fans telling fans to “watch it on TV” if they couldn’t afford it.

Trump, who did not pay for his own ticket and was instead invited free of charge by Knicks owner James Dolan, said: ‘I know, but they can watch it on TV.

‘Watching it on TV is kind of semi-free. But that’s the way life goes… if the game wasn’t so big, if the team wasn’t such a huge success, you could very easily be gone. So you can do this too.’

Marine One helicopter carrying President Trump arrives at Wall Street Landing Zone

In preparation for the president’s arrival, New Yorkers took to the streets to express their feelings

Secret Service surrounded the arena hours before Game 3

A steel fence was built around the arena, and fans were subjected to strict security checks.

He added: ‘But that’s life, you know. They achieved great success. And remember, they too have experienced loss and suffered in bad times. Now they’re having a good time. ‘They’ve got a great team.’

Trump’s decision to attend the game wreaked havoc on the event, with the NYPD erecting a steel ring around MSG and hundreds of Secret Service members on site to keep the president safe.

Growing security concerns led to the cancellation of a previously planned watch party outside MSG and its move to Bryant Park, where 5,000 New Yorkers were to attend for the game.

The Knicks also approved two more viewing parties across the city for fans who can’t get into MSG, one at the Wollman Rink in Central Park and the other at the Brooklyn Bowl.

Meanwhile, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani also attended Game 3 and claimed earlier in the day that he paid under $1,000 for the privilege.

Even though thousands of die-hard fans spent more than $10,000 for the chance to witness history, the mayor told reporters he only spent a triple-figure sum to be among the ‘standing room only’ fans at MSG.

‘I bought my tickets from Madison Square Garden for about $1,000,’ he said. ‘I’m going to the 3rd game tonight and I’ll be up throughout the game.’

Trump waved to the crowd, but New Yorkers didn’t seem eager to see the president

Fans who paid thousands of dollars for tickets were forced to line up down the block

Knicks fans spent hours getting into Madison Square Garden for NBA Finals game

NYPD and Secret Service surround MSG and Game 3 viewing parties are canceled

He emphasized that he bought his ticket ‘directly from the organization’ and did not receive a mayoral discount.

‘This is something I bought directly from Madison Square Garden, it was close to $1,000, and standing room only is the standing room section,’ he added.

Despite his insistence, fans were skeptical and questioned how Mamdani, a democratic socialist, had secured one of New York’s most coveted tickets.

As of Monday afternoon, tickets in the standing room-only section were listed on resale sites for up to $4,900; This is a far cry from Mamdani’s sub-$1,000 price.

The difference between the skyrocketing prices offered to New Yorkers and the apparent mayoral discount enraged supporters.

While many people claimed that Mamdani bought discounted tickets, some pointed out that accessing tickets directly from MSG is not a luxury accessible to everyone.

“Tickets are always set aside and arranged by ownership and league for celebrities, politicians, celebrities and other dignitaries,” a social media user claimed on social media.