US3 min(s) read
Published 16:29 09 Jun 2026 GMT
A professional lipreader has claimed to know what President Donald Trump told businessman Jim Dolan after being booed at Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday (June 8).
Trump was in attendance at Madison Square Garden (MSG) for the highly anticipated third game of this year's NBA Finals, between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks.
The Knicks managed to win the first two games of the series in Texas and were heavy favorites coming into the game, which was on their home court.
But before the game tipped off, Trump was very audibly booed in his home city by a raucous New York crowd, stealing headlines online.
Now, a forensic lipreader has revealed what Trump said to Dolan, the CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports, after his embarrassing moment on live TV.
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Nicola Hickling is a profoundly deaf lip-reading professional who has reviewed footage of Trump after the President appeared on the MSG Jumbotron during the national anthem, resulting in boos from the crowd.
The 79-year-old could be seen smirking from a private box, saluting as fans didn't sound too happy at his presence.
According to the Daily Mail, Hickling said that the President was discussing a mystery person that Dolan had a problem with.
Allegedly, Trump said: “Why wouldn't you accept our friendship, he's loyal,” as Dolan added: “I'm p**sed off at his name.”
“Oh that's not it. Let me bring him next time, you have got it so wrong with him,” the President responded, going on: “I can bring him back to you, with confidence. I'm not just saying that, unless you want to put the feeler out.”
Apparently, this led to Trump admitting that he would attend Game 4, which is set to be held at MSG on June 10.
He apparently said: “If you want me to come to the game on Wednesday, then he's gotta be here,” “You gotta remember, I gotta pull with this. Maybe I could do the trophy, the trophy. This should be gold, don't say no today. I'll bet you a round a golf.”
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NBA commissioner Adam Silver played down the boos, telling ESPN: “I found out (Trump was attending) because Jim Dolan invited him to the game and he said yes,
“He is welcome to be here."
Silver added: “What I will say about President Trump is that he was a fixture at NBA, Madison Square Garden (in the past). A genuine Knicks fan.
“Yes, some inconvenience to fans but if you look around the arena, it is getting packed. People listened and got here early. We should be using sports to create more of a sense of community.”
But Trump's presence may have been a bad omen, as after two road wins, the Knicks lost their first post-season game since the first round, falling 115-11 to the Spurs.
Following Victor Wembanyama's 32-point effort, the series now stands at 2-1 heading into game 4, where the Spurs have the opportunity to tie it up before heading back to San Antonio for game 5.
The Knicks, who were just one win away from a first NBA title in 53 years, now need to win two games to get their hands on the Larry O'Brien trophy.
If the Spurs are to win on Wednesday, the series will stretch into next week, bringing on a potential game 6 at MSG.
