Whoopi Goldberg offered an unexpected defense of President Donald Trump’s planned attendance at Monday night’s NBA Finals Game 3 in New York City, shocking many audience members and viewers at home.
“The View” co-host, who is often a fierce critic of Trump, was responding to a video in which Stephen A. Smith and Donny Deutsch said Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) should not attend the game.
As “The View” audience applauded Smith and Deutsch’s take on the matter, Goldberg quickly fired back, saying they both seemingly have the right to attend the game as Knicks fans and New Yorkers.
“I’m sorry. Trump and Mayor Mamdani are Knicks fans and have been. They’re New Yorkers,” Goldberg said. “And you can’t — there’s nothing either one of them can do to change what’s happening in this city for this team.”
Golberg’s co-host, Sunny Hostin, questioned whether Trump and Mamdani’s attendance could potentially “jinx” the team.
“You know what,” Goldberg said. “I don’t think anything can jinx anything. I think these guys are on a mission.”
Trump’s attendance at the game has caused a wave of controversy over the last several days due to the increased security measures needed for a sitting president to attend such a public event.
The Knicks advised fans in a statement posted to social media on Saturday to arrive at Madison Square Garden two hours before tipoff to go through “TSA-style screening procedures.”
NYPD also announced on Monday: “Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be closed from West 30th Street to West 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue,” starting at 4 p.m. due to Secret Service protocols.
“No one will be allowed inside the secure area unless you have a ticket to the game, a train ticket, are going to a business inside the area, have credentials, or have some other authorized reason to be there,” the statement continued.
Watch Goldberg’s full comments on Trump attending the NBA Finals below: