New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is getting roasted online after trying to question President Donald Trump’s Knicks fandom and accidentally embarrassing herself in the process. Trump told reporters Wednesday that he plans to attend at least one New York Knicks NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden after the team punched its ticket to the Finals by sweeping Cleveland.
“I think I’ll be going,” Trump said, adding that Knicks owner James Dolan personally invited him.
That announcement quickly triggered backlash from Trump critics, including Hochul, who attempted to mock the president’s longtime connection to the Knicks and New York sports culture.
“I’d ask him to name the starting lineup from the 1993 championship team, see how HE does!” Hochul reportedly joked.
There was just one massive problem with that line. The Knicks did not win the championship in 1993.
WATCH:
OMG. NY Gov. Kathy Kochul is being viciously mocked nationwide for pretending Donald Trump isn’t a real Knicks fan, then making a FOOL of herself
“I’d ask him to name the starting lineup from 1993 championship team, see how HE does!”
Jordan’s Bulls won in 1993, not the… pic.twitter.com/AH6QbTnToH
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 27, 2026
Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls defeated New York during that era and went on to win the NBA title. In fact, the Knicks have not won an NBA championship since 1973. Social media users immediately piled on the governor for the blunder, with critics accusing her of trying to gatekeep Knicks fandom while not even knowing basic franchise history herself.
“Maybe she got a case of the Bidens,” one user wrote.
“Lol I bet Trump could name the 1993 Bulls starting lineup. Its very well known that he is a huge sports fan. What an idiot,” another added.
Others pointed out the irony of questioning Trump’s New York credibility given his decades-long public association with Manhattan sports and celebrity culture. Trump has regularly attended major boxing matches, UFC fights, baseball games, and other high-profile sporting events throughout the years. He has also maintained a longtime friendship with Knicks owner James Dolan.
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The online ridicule intensified as users circulated clips and memes mocking Hochul’s failed attempt at a sports jab. Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals had originally been scheduled for tonight, but it became unnecessary after New York completed the sweep in Game 4. That means the most likely games Trump could attend would be:
• NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on June 8
• NBA Finals Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on June 10
If Trump ultimately attends, reports note he would become the first sitting U.S. president ever to attend an NBA Finals game.
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