Spike Lee is making it clear he does not want his beloved New York Knicks anywhere near Donald Trump’s White House. The legendary filmmaker has criticized the real estate mogul-turned-politician for his conservative policies. Now sports has become a sour subject since the president angered many Knicks fans by showing up at the 2026 NBA Finals. Trump’s presence was blamed for killing the city’s vibes, leading the San Antonio Spurs to win Game 3. Spike Lee and other New York Knicks fans don’t want to see the team meet with President Donald Trump at the White House. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Despite the controversy surrounding Trump, the Knicks still secured a four-games-to-one series victory led by Finals MVP Jalen Brunson. The Knicks will always be heroes to Lee, 69, who was among the millions of New Yorkers who celebrated the team’s long-awaited NBA championship victory. The city had waited 53 years to see the team hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. House Slaves? Spike Lee Blasts Black Trump Supporters Praying Over President in Viral White House Photo‘The Struggle Still Continues’: Spike Lee Hits Back at Critics Who Speculated That His Film ‘Do The Right Thing’ Would ‘Incite’ Riots Sports champions traditionally visit the White House after capturing a title. However, that tradition became controversial in the Trump era, as the nation’s partisan divide has deepened. According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, rumors circulated that Knicks owner James Dolan clashed with players over whether the team should meet with Trump in the nation’s capital. Dolan, 71, has been described as a longtime “close friend” of the Republican president. The billionaire businessman married at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2002. The two men were also seated together at the Finals game in Madison Square Garden. Smith claimed, “People have been a little bit stressed because the owner, James Dolan, has an attitude with players because they don’t want to go to the White House.”  A Variety reporter asked Lee directly about alleged tensions between the Knicks owner and the team. He said, “He can’t force them! It’s been years since the last NBA team has gone. They’re not going. I hope they don’t go! I hope they don’t go.”  The Morehouse College alum leaned into the speculation that Trump ruined New York’s 13-game winning streak with his highly divisive Madison Square Garden cameo. He believes, “That was not just an accident!” Lee’s call for the Knicks to snub Trump’s invitation sparked a fierce divide, with fellow sports fans backing him while MAGA supporters pushed back. “He [is] speaking for every Knicks fan out there!!” wrote an X user in support. A second person posted, “Spike Lee is 1,000% correct!”  One NBA watcher warned, “Don’t do it. Ever since [NFL cornerback] Marlon Humphrey went to meet Trump in Baltimore, the Ravens lost three straight. He’s bad juju.” Others suggested the Knicks skip the White House altogether and choose a different destination. “They should visit Obama instead in Chicago at his presidential library,” one tweet read. Another who agreed said, “Absolutely, Spike! It would be a terrible disgrace to visit Trump in the White House. It will be seen as an endorsement of sorts that would be very bad!” In contrast, Trump’s legion of online followers vigorously pushed back against Lee. A less-enraged X user tweeted, “This might be the only opportunity for any of them to go to the White House. It would be a shame for them to miss the chance because of politics.” The Knicks are scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18 to face the Wizards. Months after their Finals win, the team has yet to confirm a meeting with Trump. “No, it’s still something that our guys, or the organization, is internally discussing and whatever we decide to do, we’ll all do together,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said in September.  Meanwhile, Trump and his party are likely more preoccupied at the moment with polling that shows Republicans could suffer major losses in this year’s midterm election. The Knicks also have some bad headwinds to overcome. After bringing an NBA title back to New York City to end last season, the 2026-2027 season has started rough. Brunson and the defending champions opened the season with three consecutive losses in October. As of this writing, the Knicks are 3-4 and sit eighth in the Eastern Conference. Spike Lee is against the Knicks potentially visiting the White House to meet with President Donald Trump following their 2026 NBA championship pic.twitter.com/dZCuZIC7r9— Knicks Fan TV (@KnicksFanTv) November 2, 2026 Spike Lee Backs Knicks Owner Into a Corner as the Team’s Post-Championship White House Visit with Trump Has Players Calling Foul ...read more read less