New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson’s response to President Donald Trump attending an NBA game quickly went viral. This reaction leads to questions about whether he voted for Trump in the election. Trump’s presence in sports has often stirred controversy, with teams and players often choosing not to celebrate wins at the White House.

During Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, fans were frustrated with the extra security measures for the game. A Twitter post from Knicks star Josh Hart resurfaced, where he celebrated Trump’s election loss to Joe Biden.

Prior to the game, a TikTok user named Eren posted a video suggesting Robinson might play better with Trump present. The video showed Allen Iverson playing against Michael Jordan in the 1990s. Robinson commented, “You ain’t lying, brother.” Months earlier, Robinson posted a photo with an American flag and replied to a comment, “I got one,” indicating a Trump flag.

Newsweek reached out to Robinson’s agent but received no response. Voter records show Robinson is registered as a Republican in Louisiana as of September 2024, after initially not declaring a party affiliation in 2020. However, Robinson’s support for Trump remains uncertain. He mentioned on TikTok that he was “just trolling” and expressed to ESPN that Trump’s attendance was “cool, I guess” and wouldn’t affect the game.

Robinson’s teammate Karl-Anthony Towns criticized Trump in 2018 for disparaging LeBron James. Towns urged Trump to focus on national issues rather than social media remarks. When asked about his relationship with Towns, Robinson used a shrug emoji.

Knicks forward OG Anunoby remarked that Trump’s presence wouldn’t change the team’s play. “We will try to win either way,” he said.

Trump’s motorcade and appearance at the game were met with a mix of boos and “USA!” chants from the crowd. There’s no clear connection between the chant and support for Trump. Knicks fans were particularly troubled by Trump’s attendance due to enhanced security at Madison Square Garden. These measures required early arrivals and led to the cancellation of outdoor watch parties. Non-ticket holders were also restricted from walking near the arena.

Knicks guard Jose Alvarado pointed out that New Yorkers adapt quickly. “We improvise,” he told ESPN, regarding moving the watch party to Bryant Park. “We’re going to find a way to watch a game,” said Alvarado, who grew up in New York City.