Trump calls Mitchell Robinson a 'great patriot' in Knicks tribute after pro-Trump TikTok comment
Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!! What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four - Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball. Also, tonight, a superstar was born. His name is… pic.twitter.com/EGLP1OYtxu
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC: After the New York Knicks secured victory in the NBA Finals on Saturday, June 13, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate the team and especially applauded the patriotism of one of the team’s major players.
Trump received a lot of criticism for attending Game 3 of the Knicks in New York, as his presence required management measures that resulted in long-lasting traffic and inconvenience to Knicks fans.
HBO host Bill Maher, in the latest edition of his show, even joked that President Donald Trump should stay away from Game 5 of the New York Knicks playoff series.
President singles out player while congratulating team
The president, in his social media post, hailed the Knicks team for winning their first championship since 1973 and singled out Mitchell Robinson as a “great patriot.”
Trump also praised the team's owner, James Dolan, who is a longtime friend of Trump.
“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” Trump wrote. “What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four – Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball.”
Trump also included some special recognition for backup center Mitchell Robinson, who hinted at being a supporter of the president in a comment on a viral TikTok reel last week.
Though Trump has repeatedly voiced support for the Knicks, many fans have not appeared to return the favor. When the president attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, he was met with loud boos after being shown on the arena's big screen.
The Knicks went on to lose 115-111 to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 — their only defeat in the last 16 games of the season, prompting some fans to jokingly blame Trump for jinxing the team.
Trump becomes first sitting president at NBA Finals
The president also went on to salute several other players, including NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.
“Tonight, a superstar was born,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great Patriot, Mitchell Robinson! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
Trump's highly anticipated appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals transformed Madison Square Garden into one of the most heavily secured sporting venues in recent memory.
Trump, attending as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, became the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game.
