Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Trump have struck an unlikely alliance through their mutual love of the city, but the reception from fans at Monday night’s highly anticipated Knicks game at Madison Square Garden represents a test of who is politically hot and who’s not in the Big Apple.
The two telegenic politicians will both likely be in the spotlight on the MSG Jumbotron as the New York Knicks face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. One is the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, a democratic socialist who defied the odds on a message of affordability. The other is a Queens native famous for his gilded life but who forged a new conservative movement by appealing to working-class voters. That support has delivered him to the White House for two terms.
“This is a moment of New York exceptionalism,” said Chris Coffey, a Democratic strategist, who made the bold prediction that Mamdani will be cheered while the president is booed.
“He’s the new mayor presiding over Knicks mania,” Coffey said. “Donald Trump does not enjoy that New York exceptionalism anymore. He’s a Floridian.”
The crowd may have reasons to boo Trump beyond partisan politics. Fans must endure extraordinary security measures due to the president’s presence before reaching their seats for what is arguably the most anticipated game in New York City this century.
The two men arrive at the Garden at very different moments in their political careers. Trump, who has long been widely unpopular in New York, is facing the lowest approval ratings of his presidency. Meanwhile, a recent poll found that a little under half of New Yorkers approve of the job Mamdani is doing, 100 days into his mayoralty. The two last met in February at the White House to discuss reviving a long-talked-about Queens housing development.
It’s unclear whether Trump and Mamdani will actually cross paths at Game 3 of the series, which the Knicks lead 2-0. Trump is expected to be sitting in a suite as a guest of James Dolan, who owns MSG and the Knicks. Republican candidate for governor Bruce Blakeman said he plans to join the president at the game.
On Monday, Mamdani said he will be cheering from a standing-room section. He said he purchased the ticket directly from MSG for around $1,000.
Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for the mayor, said it’s customary for elected officials to be allowed to buy standing-room tickets. She said the mayor will be joined by other elected leaders, but did not immediately say whom. The mayor was spotted with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams in the rafters during a previous Knicks game during the playoffs.
Mamdani has been reveling in the Knicks’ historic run for the NBA championship collides with the World Cup, which begins on Thursday. Although Monday’s Knicks watch party outside MSG has been canceled, the city announced a new watch party nearby at Bryant Park. Two other watch parties will take place in Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg.
“What this all speaks to is that we are incredibly prepared for a summer that will be memorable for so many reasons,” Mamdani said on Monday. “We have the Knicks in our first finals since 1999, a chance to win our first championship since 1973. We have a once in a generation opportunity with the World Cup.”
