Donald Trump falls asleep at New York Knicks NBA Finals after being loudly booed | NBA | Sport

President Donald Trump seemed to doze off while viewing Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Footage circulating online depicts the president shutting his eyes as he clasps his hands in his lap. His head dips slightly for approximately 45 seconds before he suddenly opens his eyes, glances about, and observes the action unfolding on the court beneath him.

Earlier during the evening, throughout the national anthem, Trump’s bruised, discoloured hands were clearly visible. Attentive photographers documented his heavily made-up hand as he waved at booing Knicks supporters throughout the venue, who heckled him and hurled expletives in his direction all evening. Trump’s hands have become the focus of considerable attention over the past year, following massive, black bruises being observed on the back of his right hand towards the start of his second term.

The White House attributed the bruising to an aspirin regimen and to the considerable number of people he greets daily.

Trump was also diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency last summer, which may explain some of the bruising alongside the swelling regularly observed around his feet and ankles.

Trump faced humiliation when Knicks fans brutally booed him as he arrived at MSG on Monday evening in his presidential motorcade. Expletives were directed at the president as the crowd jeered at his waving figure, which was seen sitting in The Beast.

Numerous people held placards expressing disapproval of the president, and at least two individuals gave him the middle finger. Another offered him a thumbs down.

“Put them gas prices down!” one supporter can be heard shouting before hurling an expletive at Trump. “F*** Trump, but we came here for the Knicks!” another can be heard shouting. The crowd surrounding them can be heard chanting, “F*** Trump, go Knicks!”

Inside the venue, the booing persisted during the national anthem and on several other occasions when the president appeared on the big screens throughout the game. Fans made their displeasure abundantly clear as Trump appeared on the Jumbotron, with a chorus of loud boos cascading down from the MSG crowd as the president saluted during the national anthem.

Security preceding Trump’s visit to the venue for Game 3 of the NBA Finals had basketball supporters – and New Yorkers – unsettled. Secret Service agents were spotted screening supporters as they made their way into the iconic Manhattan venue, home to the New York Knickerbockers — more commonly referred to as the Knicks.

Earlier in the day, it had been confirmed that spectators would be prohibited from bringing bags into the arena, even those that met the arena’s usual permitted standards, ahead of the president’s anticipated arrival.

Outside the venue, officers were seen directing crowds into cordoned-off queues, which stretched considerably before tipoff. Footage circulating online showed supporters waiting upwards of an hour to gain entry, where they were subsequently met with heightened security measures from the Secret Service.

Clips filmed from the nearby waterfront captured large military helicopters stationed on platforms close to the shoreline, while smaller aircraft circled overhead in search of potential threats.

Trump confirmed his attendance at Game 3 of the Finals, which saw the Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs in their first home fixture of the best-of-seven series.

The Knicks claimed victory in the opening two games, leaving them requiring just two further wins to be crowned NBA champions for the first time since 1973. But San Antonio won Game 3 115-111.

The Spurs need another three victories to secure the franchise’s sixth NBA title since 1999, when both teams last met in the Finals, with the Spurs winning 4-1.