Stephen A. Smith Responds To Critics After Telling President Trump Not To Attend Game 3: 'It's Not Political'

Earlier this week ESPN's Stephen A. Smith asserted that President Donald Trump would ruin the vibe of the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden if he attends Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He defended that position today.

With President Trump officially announcing he will attend Game 3 in person at the iconic venue, the Knicks have had to announce serious security restrictions in response to his visit. That hasn't sat well with the ESPN personality.

But on Saturday, a Trump supporter accused Smith of being fine with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attending the game and implied that Smith is only opposing the President's presence for political reasons. Smith was outraged and told the user to "grow the hell up" in a blowup on X. He stated point-blank that his opposition to President Trump being at MSG is not political.

"Grow the Hell up! I have a problem with any politician - any politician - that shows up, causes delays and interferes with these watch parties buzzing all over NYC. It's not political. It's about the @nyknicks and the vibe this city has going. Anyone who messes with that needs to not show up. It's not about politics. Take that b.s. take somewhere else. Not today. Not now!" Smith wrote.

The Critics Respond

But that explanation didn't fly with users on X. Many dismissed his response, saying that he's overreacting or even saying that Smith would eagerly welcome a sitting U.S. President to the Garden if they were a Democrat.

"The thing is Stephen A wouldn't have never said this if Obama wasn't Office that's why he mentioned it in his initial comment (referring to even if Obama was president that he wouldn't want him there either) to seem unbiased, but we know he's not," one user replied.

"Maybe you shouldn't come. You fancy yourself a politician when it suits you," wrote another.

"The president of the United States is literally attending a basketball game, Stephen. Get over it," a third wrote.

"You're such a tool and total fraud. Your opinion is meaningless."

"Sorry, it's not about what you want. That is why America is the land of the free."

Whether Stephen A. Smith likes it or not, President Trump will be at the Garden on Monday (and possibly even Game 4 on Wednesday). There are going to be longer lines and probably a whole lot of booing or cheering whenever the President's face shows up on the jumbotron.

At this point, there's no point fighting the inevitable.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 7:10 PM.