Donald Trump lashed out at Stephen A. Smith after the ESPN analyst joked that he would hold the president responsible if the New York Knicks lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.
Trump attended Monday night’s game at Madison Square Garden, where he was met with loud boos after appearing on the arena’s Jumbotron during the national anthem. The Spurs went on to win the game 115-111.
While boarding Air Force One for the return trip to Washington, D.C., Trump was asked by a Fox News reporter about Smith, who has repeatedly flirted with a presidential run, and his comments saying he would blame the president if the Knicks lost.
“I think he’s a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president,” Trump said. “You need a high IQ. I’m not sure that Stephen has that. I don’t think he does, actually.”
Earlier that day, Smith had made clear on his eponymous podcast that he did not support the president attending the sporting event.
“This is about an individual engaging in a level of narcissism that really rakes my freakin’ nerves,” said Smith.
“He’s got no business here tonight. It has nothing to do with politics. It was everything to do with the ferver that exists around the New York Knicks and he is disrupting everything the Knicks have been vibing with.”
His comments echoed those of Knicks superfan Spike Lee.
The Oscar-winning director was spotted courtside Monday wearing a Knicks jersey signed by Pope Leo XIV, who has repeatedly clashed with Trump over his immigration policies.
“I can’t speak for all disciples. But, I just find it strange that this had to happen now,” Lee told CNN after the game.
“You’ve got to get there two hours early. I mean... it’s taking the focus off. We haven’t won [a championship] since 1973! It should be about the game tonight.”
Trump attended the game alongside his granddaughter Kai Trump, as well as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino.
The president also earned mockery online from fans and politicians alike for appearing to fall asleep during the game.
Knicks owner Dolan, who has donated to support Trump’s presidential campaigns, invited the Republican to take in the Finals.
Trump, who often mixes politics and sports, is the first sitting president to watch a Finals game.
The president wasn’t the only famous face in the crowd on Monday night.
Celebrities including Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Yankees legend Derek Jeter, comedian Tracy Morgan, and Daily Show host Jon Stewart all dotted the front rows.
The president will be in the crowd at another major sporting spectacle this week, Sunday’s UFC fight that will be held in a custom-built arena on the White House lawn in celebration of Trump’s birthday and America’s 250th anniversary.
