'Failed Soundbite': Kathy Hochul’s Miscalculated Knicks Jab at the President Falls Flat as Donald Trump Jr. Retaliates

Now that the New York Knicks are heading to the NBA finals, people seem to be buzzing about the milestone.

President Donald Trump, who is said to be a Knicks fan, recently sparked speculation that he might attend the NBA finals.

However, not everyone seems to buy Trump's claim of being a Knicks fan — certainly not New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

In a recent media interaction, Hochul tried to question Trump's Knicks fandom.

However, in the process, the New York governor not only committed a sports trivia error, but also earned a scathing response from the president's son, Donald Trump Jr.

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, May 27, Trump expressed his appreciation for the Knicks and their major success, announcing his plans to head to New York for the NBA finals.

After his comments went viral, Hochul shared her opinion on the matter.

During a Fox News interview, the New York governor was asked, “What do you say to President Trump saying he's a lifelong Knicks fan?”

Hochul replied, “I’d ask him to name the starting lineup of the 1993 Championship team and see how he does.”

While Hochul aimed to challenge the president's basketball knowledge, her question immediately drew mockery from sports enthusiasts.

The Knicks did not win the NBA championship in 1993; it was the Chicago Bulls who claimed the title that year.

The Knicks had last won the NBA championship in 1973.

After her interview spread across social media, Trump Jr. responded to Hochul’s comments.

“Anyone who knows my father knows he probably knows more about sports than just about any human being not in the business,” Trump Jr. wrote on X.

He ended his post with a sharp jab at Hochul, adding, “Kathy’s failed soundbite ain’t gonna land well… just like her policies.”

Meanwhile, as Hochul's clip and Trump Jr.'s response went viral, internet users turned the exchange into another political culture war.

While some defended the president’s long-standing association with sports, others mocked both parties for turning basketball into a political debate.

One user mocked Trump Jr., writing, “She literally baited you into explaining the joke and you swallowed the hook completely. Unmatched political commentary here.”

Another commented: “Yeah yeah your dad knows more about everything than anyone.”

An individual teased Trump Jr., saying: “He can go to a basketball game, but he couldn’t make your wedding.”

Some came to Trump’s defense, as one wrote, “I’ve seen Trump at sporting events on TV, magazines, etc my entire life. It’s obvious he loves sports. Especially NYC sports.”

“Knowing sports trivia doesn’t automatically translate into leadership or good policy. America needs results for ordinary people, not endless self-praise and political one-liners,” another added.

An individual opined, “American politics has officially reached the stage where basketball fandom is now part of campaign warfare.”