So New York Knicks owner James Dolan, of dubious character and questionable repute, invited President Donald Trump, of dubious character and questionable repute, to game 3 of the NBA finals in Madison Square Garden. As during Superbowl 2025, Trump’s presence will be a taint on a national sporting event. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver desperately insisted, “Sports, in particular, is something where we can emphasize what we have in common, not what pulls us apart. It creates a sense of belonging.” Yes, in a Trump-free world sports can be a place to find common ground, a place to connect through a love of the sport. But we are not Trump free, and the pernicious MAGA miasma will ooze in, once again dividing us when we so desperately need to find that common ground, that sense of belonging. Trump’s offhand, callous attitude was on display when it was pointed out that the cost of admission to MSG is a pricey $8,000. Eh. We, the common people, “can watch it on TV. It’s sort of free to watch on TV. That’s the way life is.” Sports analyst Stephen A Smith got it in one: “I don’t want him here,” and he, unlike me, reiterates, “It has nothing to do with politics…it has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that’s going to be existing at Madison Square Garden.” Trump, likely ecstatic that someone actually invited him somewhere, can’t pass up the chance once again to indulge his ego and thus tarnish what should be unbridled joy and camaraderie among spectators cheering on their teams. Sadly, thanks to the President’s presence, whoever wins, Knicks or Spurs, will be secondary. The contest, the teams, the fans, are diminished - stage props, part of the scenery for Trump’s theater. It is just another example of how Trump sees us and uses us. His presence in Madison Square Garden is all about what’s in it for him. This November, we must vote en masse. We desperately need politicians who are in it for us, so we can get the “us” back in our national pastimes and our country, the US of A.