Fact Check: Were military tanks deployed outside stadium during NBA finals attended by Trump?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Following the much-anticipated NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, which was attended by President Donald Trump, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that military tanks were present outside the stadium as part of the security hike due to the president's presence, sparking criticisms and concerns. Let us analyze the origins of the rumor and fact-check the claim.
Claim: Military tanks outside stadium as Donald Trump attended NBA finals
The rumor spread in the form of an image claiming to show military tanks outside the arena, which was shared by a journalist, who also shows media members queued up for screening to enter the stadium.
Ryan Fournier, a conservative activist and co-founder of Students for Trump, posted the image on X on June 8, accompanied by a caption stating, “WE HAVE TANKS ONSITE FOR THE GAME.”
Fournier also shared the image on Facebook as similar posts appeared on other platforms.
Fact Check: Fake, image is digitally manipulated
Although a sprawling security perimeter was established outside the stadium with an increased law enforcement presence, and nearby watch parties were canceled, as Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals matchup, the image of armored vehicles stationed near the famed New York City arena above Penn Station is digitally manipulated.
A reverse image search revealed an original version of the photo was posted on X by New York Post reporter Stefan Bondy ahead of the start of game three, between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
"Media line to get thru the TSA screening four hours before the game," Bondy wrote.
Footage from the area outside the stadium, captured in Bondy's photo, showed no tanks. If tanks were really present, it would have triggered a massive debate, as Trump has deployed National Guard troops to various Democrat-led cities, including Chicago and Washington, in an unprecedented use of the military on American soil.
Donald Trump booed during NBA Finals
Trump arrived at Madison Square Garden in a motorcade on June 8 to attend Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, where he faced loud boos when his image appeared on the giant video screens during the national anthem, followed by chants of "USA, USA, USA.”
The crowd's reaction calmed when the US flag was displayed, and they cheered when Knicks players appeared on the screens. Outside the venue, a small group of protesters held signs that read "Trump must go.”
