Jimmy Kimmel, a vocal critic of Donald Trump, reacted to footage that appeared to show the President dozing off while attending the NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks faced the San Antonio Spurs. Trump’s appearance at the game had already generated discussion online due to heightened security measures. However, Kimmel focused primarily on the footage of the President appearing to fall asleep during the event.
Jimmy Kimmel reacts to Donald Trump falling asleep at NBA finals
Donald Trump attended the NBA Finals on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. During the broadcast, footage circulated online that appeared to show the President napping during the game. The clips prompted a response from veteran talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
“Donald Trump last night made history, he became the first sitting president to shut down a major United States city so he could take a nap in front of a sold-out crowd at the NBA finals,” the talk show host said on the latest episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Kimmel remarked that “this was a bad idea to start with” and said it went “as badly as it could possibly go for Trump.” He then showed clips of the heightened security measures and fans holding signs criticizing the President.
“You know people are mad when they resort to arts and crafts,” the host joked. “Of course, the question on everyone’s mind was, ‘Would the president get booed in the Garden?'” he said. “The team didn’t want this, so they were smart. They tried something clever. They showed him on the Jumbotron during the national anthem when it’s frowned upon to boo.”
Kimmel then showed footage of fans booing Trump and suggested the strategy had not worked.
“Then it was nap time,” Kimmel said before cutting to footage that appeared to show Trump sleeping during the game. “There’s Dozes Malone, who spent who knows how many millions of taxpayer dollars to get there, and he goes out like a light.”
“Who can fall asleep during the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden?!” he continued. “Do you know how out of it you have to be? I hope Joe Biden was watching this and laughing his ass off last night.”
Many mocked the President’s appearance in the NBA game.
