Fox News host Jesse Watters on Tuesday attempted to downplay the heavy booing President Donald Trump received during Monday's NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden, claiming the reaction was 'mixed' and taking aim at Democrats over their inclusive politics.
'It was a great game,' Watters said on his show. 'And Trump didn't lose it for them. It was obviously the refs, because the league wants this thing to go seven for financial reasons. … Trump, the reaction was mixed. I would say it was passionate. I did hear some boos.'
He continued, 'But I mean, it's an NBA game. That's the fanbase. It's like if [former Vice President] Kamala [Harris] went to a Dallas Cowboys game, how would that sound? At least he goes to games. Democrats don't even go to games. They go to pride parades.'
Watters appeared unaware that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat whose campaign focused on affordability, attended both the city's Pride March last year and Monday's game.
The New York Knicks entered Game 3 of the NBA Finals on a historic 13-game playoff winning streak, generating immense excitement in the city. However, the San Antonio Spurs secured an upset victory, 115-111, with many blaming Trump's attendance for the loss.
Trump's presence created a stir both on and off the court, as no sitting president had ever attended an NBA Finals game. He was booed during his arrival and inside the arena, and additional security measures were implemented, including TSA-style screening that required fans to arrive two hours early. A free watch party planned outside the venue was also canceled.
Social media users were quick to criticize Watters for claiming the reaction was 'mixed.' One user on X wrote, 'Once again telling guys not to believe what our eyes see and our ears hear.' Another commented, 'Watters falling all over himself to protect the orange blob. If the man had an original thought his head would blow up.'
Political and sports pundits had preemptively blamed Trump for a potential Knicks loss, which came true when the Spurs won. Despite the setback, the Knicks still lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday night.
Watters has a history of disregarding facts in favor of hyperbole. His claim that the reaction to Trump was 'mixed' is consistent with his past statements, such as praising U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for its 'amazing' facilities and 'free healthcare.'
