The New York Knicks are headed to the White House.
Fresh off the franchise’s first NBA championship in more than half a century, the Knicks have accepted an invitation from President Trump to visit Washington, owner James Dolan confirmed Wednesday.
The announcement ends days of speculation that the team might decline the traditional championship visit.
“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said during an interview on WFAN. “We still have to figure out the details, et cetera, but yes, of course.”
Dolan, who has known Trump for decades, said he was proud to bring the team to the nation’s capital.
“Look, I invited the president to come down for the game. 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.
The visit will make the Knicks the first NBA champions to visit the White House during either of Trump’s two terms in office.
Rumors circulating online earlier this week suggested the team had rejected or was considering rejecting a White House invitation. The White House quickly pushed back.
“This is fake news,” a White House official told Vanity Fair. “The White House congratulates the Knicks on their championship win and looks forward to discussing a visit in the near future.”
The issue drew attention in part because the 2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder did not make a White House stop during a March 2026 trip to Washington, citing scheduling conflicts.
Trump, a lifelong New Yorker and longtime Knicks fan, developed an unusually visible connection to the team’s title run.
He became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game when he traveled to Madison Square Garden for Game 3, watching from a suite alongside Dolan and his granddaughter, Kai Trump.
After the Knicks completed a stunning comeback series against San Antonio, clinching their first championship in 53 years, Trump celebrated the victory on social media.
“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social.
“What incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four — maybe the greatest in the history of basketball.”
More over at The New York Post:
Knicks will make history as first NBA team to visit Trump White House https://t.co/aMr8bOB1hb pic.twitter.com/RK7NWwOetP
— New York Post (@nypost) June 17, 2026
