Spike Lee Urges Knicks To Skip Trump White House Visit

Spike Lee said he hoped the New York Knicks would skip a White House visit with Donald Trump. The film director and courtside fixture took a stand against a trip owner James Dolan wanted.

Stephen A. Smith had raised the issue last week. He claimed Dolan was upset because Knicks players did not want to go. But Smith cautioned, “I don’t know whether this is true or not.”

“He can’t force them!” Lee told Variety. “It’s been years since the last NBA team has gone. They’re not going. I hope they don’t go!”

Dolan had accepted the White House invitation in June, soon after the Knicks won the NBA title. He broke that news on WFAN on June 17. At the time, he said the details still had to be worked out. The Knicks became the first NBA champs to accept a White House trip during Trump’s current term.

“He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” Dolan said.

That friendship had already been on display during the Finals. Dolan invited Trump to Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Trump went to the game and praised both the owner and the team.

The June announcement left a key question open: Would the full roster go? Dolan had accepted for the team, but the players had not made their own views on the trip public at that point.

NBA champs had passed on White House trips during Trump’s first term. Golden State stayed away after its 2017 and 2018 titles amid the dispute between Stephen Curry and Trump. Toronto did not make the trip after its 2019 win.

The Boston Celtics were the last NBA team to visit the White House, in 2024. Oklahoma City did not go after its 2025 title, citing timing and scheduling issues.

The Knicks had yet to decide on a White House visit as of September 29, according to a Reuters report.

In September, coach Mike Brown said the team was still “internally discussing” whether to go.

The Knicks had yet to decide as of Lee’s interview.