Fact Check: Did Mamdani call Trump 'bad luck' and tell him to stay out of NY until NBA Finals end?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral social media post claimed that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called President Donald Trump "bad luck" and suggested keeping him out of New York until the NBA Finals were over.

The alleged remark quickly spread online as the New York Knicks competed in the Finals, fueling a debate that mixed sports superstitions, political rivalries, and passionate New York fandom. Let's fact check the claim.

Claim: Zohran Mamdani told Trump to stay out of New York until the NBA Finals are over

An X user shared a post from HoopsCrave claiming that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had taken a swipe at President Donald Trump.

The post stated, "Mayor Zohran Mamdani says Donald Trump is not welcome in New York City," and attributed the quote, "He's bad luck. Let's keep him out of New York until the NBA Finals are over," to the mayor. The post gained significant attention online, attracting more than 110,000 views along with numerous likes and comments.

The claim emerged during the 2026 NBA Finals, as the New York Knicks prepared to host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on June 10. The Knicks entered the game leading the series 2-1 despite losing Game 3.

Trump attended Game 3 on June 8, becoming the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game. He watched from a luxury suite after receiving an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan. While some fans cheered, others loudly booed him during the game. His visit also brought heightened security measures, including heavy Secret Service presence, traffic disruptions, and the cancellation of fan watch parties outside Madison Square Garden.

Following the Knicks' loss, some fans jokingly blamed Trump for the defeat, fueling online jokes about a supposed "Trump curse" or "bad luck" effect.

Fact Check: Zohran Mamdani's quote about Trump is fabricated

The claim is false. There is no evidence that Zohran Mamdani said Donald Trump was not welcome in New York or urged him to stay away until the NBA Finals ended. The quote attributed to Mamdani was fabricated.

The viral post originated from HoopsCrave, a parody account that explicitly states in its bio that it is "not affiliated with @PopCrave." The post used sports-political satire to exaggerate real events for humor and engagement.

Before and around Game 3 of the NBA Finals, reporters asked Mamdani whether he viewed Trump as a "bad luck charm" for the New York Knicks or whether he believed Trump was a genuine fan of the team. Mamdani declined to engage with the "bad luck" narrative or comment on Trump's fandom. Instead, he said that anyone who wanted to watch the Knicks should be welcome.

Mamdani also noted that he planned to attend Game 3 from a different part of Madison Square Garden after purchasing his own standing-room ticket and had no plans to meet or sit with Trump.

While Mamdani has enthusiastically supported the Knicks' NBA Finals run, promoting watch parties and even signing a playful mock executive order about children's bedtimes, he kept his comments about Trump's attendance professional and separate from sports superstitions.

The viral quote appears to have been invented for comedic effect. Trump's attendance at Game 3, the Knicks' subsequent loss, and media questions about a supposed "bad luck" effect provided the basis for a parody that later spread as a fake quote, a common occurrence on sports satire accounts.