# [Paul Krugman](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/)

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SPEAKER 1

Hi there. Paul Krugman with a very quick update. I haven't done a regular post today because I'm jet-lagged out of my mind, but... I just wanted to weigh in on something that will be happening a few minutes after I record this which is that a significant piece of Midtown Manhattan the area

surrounding Madison Square Garden is about to be closed to all pedestrians this is because of the Knicks game which is in Madison Square Garden and Donald Trump is attending the Knicks game which means that the game itself entry is going to require enormously strict security people are forbidden from bringing any kind of bag in there it's just

going to be a what should be a exciting joyous occasion is going to become quite hellish with long lines and who knows what else but what really may not be obvious to many people you might not know if you're not a New Yorker is that Madison Square Garden sits on top of Penn Station.

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## A Gesture of Contempt

Trump makes the little people suffer, sports edition

[Paul Krugman](https://substack.com/@paulkrugman)

Jun 08, 2026

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Transcript

_A quick video, thankfully not from Midtown Manhattan_

Hi there. Paul Krugman with a very quick update.

I haven’t done a regular post today because I’m jet-lagged out of my mind, but I just wanted to weigh in on something that will be happening a few minutes after I record this. Which is that a significant piece of Midtown Manhattan — the area surrounding Madison Square Garden — is about to be closed to all pedestrians.

This is because of the Knicks game which is in Madison Square Garden. And Donald Trump is attending the Knicks game. Which means that the game entry itself is going to require enormously strict security. People are forbidden from bringing any kind of bag in there. It means that what should be an exciting joyous occasion is going to become quite hellish with long lines and who knows what else.

But what really may not be obvious to many people — you might not know if you’re not a New Yorker — is that Madison Square Garden sits on top of Penn Station.

That’s a story in itself, but there it is. And Penn Station is the busiest transit hub in America. It is where 600,000 or so people pass through on their way to and from New York by way of the Long Island Railroad and New Jersey Transit. I’ve spent a lot of my life waiting for trains at Penn Station.

And it’s completely insane to ruin people’s day like that. You could say, well, what else are you going to do if you’re going to have to provide security for the President of the United States? And the answer is, Why does he have to go to this thing? The simple way to make several hundred thousand people’s lives noticeably better, at least for today, would be to just not go to the damn game. He can watch it on TV. He can go have a cage match in the ripped up White House lawn, if he likes.

It’s not such a small thing. It shows a kind of contempt for ordinary people and a kind of self-aggrandizement — I want this so I’m going to make other people’s lives miserable just to indulge my whim — that is part and parcel of everything else that’s going on. It’s a small thing but my god I would actually have had a problem if I went into my office today because my office is not that far from Penn Station. It’s not in the banned zone but it’s going to be nightmares all around.

All right, just another message that the people in charge do not care about people like you.

2,751 Likes∙

[379 Restacks](https://substack.com/note/p-201199701/restacks?utm_source=substack&utm_content=facepile-restacks)

#### Discussion about this video

CommentsRestacks

[Patrick O'Hearn](https://substack.com/profile/82131605-patrick-ohearn?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272867051 "Jun 8, 2026, 3:58 PM") Edited

In a welcome sign of political problem-solving, Mamdani announced a little bit ago that NYC would host a watch party at nearby Bryant Park.

[https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/06/mayor-mamdani-announces-additional-knicks-watch-party-location-a](https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/06/mayor-mamdani-announces-additional-knicks-watch-party-location-a)

That is what we need, problem solvers. Good on Mamdani, and go New York, go New York, GO!

Like (341)

Reply (6)

[bjl](https://substack.com/profile/48119763-bjl?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872469 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:09 PM")

Mamdani is an amazing LEADER!! and problem solver for the people!!!

Like (122)

Reply (1)

[Linda Weide](https://substack.com/profile/25228499-linda-weide?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880646 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:24 PM") Edited

He knows how to get information out to people about the problems he is solving as well. An important skill.

Like (83)

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[Renee Marie](https://substack.com/profile/23750165-renee-marie?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272881864 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:26 PM")

Mamdani understands what many democratic countries understand, and that is sports are a public good. That means making them accessible, as a player at any level, or as a spectator. Sports build community when they are inclusive.

This, along with the FIFA World Cup debacle . . .

Like (55)

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[Linda Weide](https://substack.com/profile/25228499-linda-weide?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880318 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:23 PM")

Good on Mamdani. Here is further evidence that Trump is a nightmare. This woman of the Drey Dossier explains that she has discovered that there is a parallel government infrastructure that is being developed privately, and it seems to be a way around the laws that were imposed on DOGE. It is must know stuff.

[https://youtu.be/MgJIxsSQZV8?si=SyOU12IgSKizQ6xY](https://youtu.be/MgJIxsSQZV8?si=SyOU12IgSKizQ6xY)

Like (39)

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[Winston Smith London Oceania](https://substack.com/profile/308852488-winston-smith-london-oceania?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884309 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:31 PM") Edited

Horrifying.

It actually fits that Trumpkopf would want a "National Design Studio". A big part of the Third Reich revolved around design for propaganda. Hitler was known to be a graphic designer.

Like (31)

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[LiverpoolFCfan](https://substack.com/profile/5215700-liverpoolfcfan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272918412 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:39 PM") Edited

He is freaking out about all the news coverage from his disastrous interview with Kristen Welker last weekend where his crazy gremlins climbed out through his eyeballs and danced around on camera.

He needs to distract everyone by causing a traffic jam.

And it's only going to piss more people off.

Like (24)

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[Robot Bender](https://substack.com/profile/5399534-robot-bender?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272953683 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:57 PM")

I honestly thought he was going to hit her. The pure rage and hatred on his face was chilling.

Like (21)

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[Winston Smith London Oceania](https://substack.com/profile/308852488-winston-smith-london-oceania?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272971201 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:39 PM")

He might have if they weren't on camera. But even the worst psychopaths are aware when they're being watched. It must drive them nuts to be forced to control themselves.

Like (16)

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[Sandra Greer](https://substack.com/profile/271859770-sandra-greer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273035568 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:27 PM")

He did grab her shoulder. Although it may be that he lost his balance.

Like (7)

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[Untrump](https://substack.com/profile/209326075-untrump?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273098474 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:15 AM")

When he has a load in his diaper he loses his balance.

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[Harvey Kravetz](https://substack.com/profile/99889910-harvey-kravetz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273465731 "Jun 9, 2026, 4:09 PM")

People listen up - Trump don't care!!

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[Kim Nesvig](https://substack.com/profile/16357083-kim-nesvig?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272921514 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:46 PM")

What else would you expect. Trump stopped caring about other human beings the moment he left the womb.

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[Lillian](https://substack.com/profile/9091163-lillian?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272940714 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:27 PM")

Trumpkopf! Perfect name and description.

Like (9)

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[Teresa D. Hawkes, Ph.D.](https://substack.com/profile/187430-teresa-d-hawkes-phd?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272944136 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:35 PM")

It sounds like it is time to scream loudly...for the 3,432nd time. Ow.

Like (9)

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[Josephine Olson](https://substack.com/profile/5874390-josephine-olson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272941366 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:29 PM")

But that does not help the people who commute from Penn Station.

Like (10)

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[Francine Fein](https://substack.com/profile/212037328-francine-fein?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273169249 "Jun 9, 2026, 6:48 AM")

Thanks for the link. So far Mamdani has shown he’s a mayor for all the people. If only our President could learn…

Like (5)

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[Shirley Weaver](https://substack.com/profile/242577637-shirley-weaver?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273220248 "Jun 9, 2026, 8:49 AM")

Absolutely

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[no\_fascism](https://substack.com/profile/43273342-no_fascism?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272867101 "Jun 8, 2026, 3:58 PM")

I hope he gets brutally booed, worst treatment ever.

Like (216)

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[Richard Plevin](https://substack.com/profile/139033996-richard-plevin?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272868416 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:01 PM")

New Yorkers would've booed him in any case, but after making entrance to the game miserable, there's no question about it.

Like (93)

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[Acela](https://substack.com/profile/219510009-acela?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272874304 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:12 PM")

New Yorkers don't like Trump because they've known very well who and what he is for many decades.

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[BaritoneWoman](https://substack.com/profile/4348783-baritonewoman?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272875798 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:15 PM")

We NYers had him pegged as an assclown decades ago.

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[Delaware Condor](https://substack.com/profile/15849696-delaware-condor?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272877832 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:19 PM")

Welcome home, Donny Boy. Hungry? we have lots of rasberries for ya.

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[Winston Smith London Oceania](https://substack.com/profile/308852488-winston-smith-london-oceania?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272882884 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:28 PM")

A whole smorgasbord of Bronx cheers.

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[Ryan Collay](https://substack.com/profile/300081561-ryan-collay?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907668 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:17 PM")

He feeds on hate! As always done and always will…

Like (8)

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[Beverly Richards-Smith](https://substack.com/profile/3960579-beverly-richards-smith?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272911298 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:25 PM")

He likes to believe he's "owning the libs" and making them hate him. And he gets off on inciting his cultists to hate specific individuals and entire demographic groups. But he's very thin-skinned. Being booed by the entire crowd at a huge sports event will not feed his ego. It may be a traumatic experience for him -- especially if the team refuses to meet with him in the locker room.

Like (17)

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[Loitering Historian](https://substack.com/profile/2011966-loitering-historian?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272915810 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:34 PM")

Look on the bright side. Getting booed by a lot of New Yorkers will get him a lot of sympathy from the folks in Magastan, coupled with renewed rage at those you-know-whats in the Urban Hellhole.

Why else would he go?

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[TS](https://substack.com/profile/90691595-ts?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272917038 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:37 PM")

It's not going to win him back any supporters. They are trickling away like sand through his little fingers. They're down to 19%.

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[Sandra Greer](https://substack.com/profile/271859770-sandra-greer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273036042 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:28 PM")

We fart in his general direction!

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[Declan](https://substack.com/profile/957946-declan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272958453 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:08 PM")

But ya know what??? Indid not witness/see/hear ANY interviews with New Yorkers in 2015/2016 about his failure to pay contractors and other foibles. Why was that??? It may have made a difference.

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[Steve Troy](https://substack.com/profile/273020221-steve-troy?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[3d](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/280258663 "Jun 21, 2026, 1:15 PM")

I agree completely. That 2016 campaign should have been an easy Electoral College victory for any Democrat but it wasn't due to that party's reluctance to hit HARD in a manner similar to the GOP.

IF I were in charge of that campaign I would have sought out the small contractors and construction workers who built the towers and casinos that Trump bragged about and turned them into a nightmare for the serial rapist from Queens!

Imagine nonstop television commercials of interviews with actual, real-life workers and contractors who told their own true stories of how Trump lied to them, violated contracts, screwed them out of the money they were owed and should NEVER be trusted! Broadcasting these spots for weeks with a tag line like "Trump: ALWAYS Bragging, ALWAYS Lying, NEVER to be trusted" would have clearly pushed Hillary over the finish line in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin and thus into the White House and this decade long nightmare we're still enduring would have never happened.

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[Declan](https://substack.com/profile/957946-declan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272957545 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:06 PM")

The Knicks President Dolan invited him to be his guest at the game. Dolan is another spoiled nepo baby.

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[Sharon](https://substack.com/profile/35281868-sharon?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273057977 "Jun 8, 2026, 11:37 PM")

My husband said he was booed but not as loudly as he expected. Minimum ticket price was $10K so no ordinary people there. Most of them rich and not wanting to incur his wrath.

Like (7)

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[Untrump](https://substack.com/profile/209326075-untrump?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273099319 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:19 AM")

Hedge funders support the greed. Those are not average New Yorkers paying $8-10 grand for a ticket!

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[ZoetMB](https://substack.com/profile/9524543-zoetmb?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272873469 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:10 PM")

At an ordinary game, he would have been massively booed, but remember how much they’re charging for this game: tickets are priced in the $thousands. So he just might not be booed by the rich assholes attending.

Like (47)

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[ZoetMB](https://substack.com/profile/9524543-zoetmb?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 10](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/274114019 "Jun 10, 2026, 5:56 PM")

Guess I was wrong. He was massively booed anyway.

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[KMB](https://substack.com/profile/18427728-kmb?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272885758 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:34 PM")

And let's hope ABC or whatever network is covering the game doesn't silence the reaction.

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[D Epp](https://substack.com/profile/123043902-d-epp?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272875715 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:15 PM")

Is it possible to prevent his plane from landing?

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272895388 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:53 PM")

No.

Like (6)

Reply (1)

[spenlo](https://substack.com/profile/188023008-spenlo?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272919373 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:41 PM")

A heavy storm would be helpful!

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[D Epp](https://substack.com/profile/123043902-d-epp?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272952518 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:54 PM")

Mamdani could take credit for it. People would like that.

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[spenlo](https://substack.com/profile/188023008-spenlo?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272918822 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:40 PM")

Would soft tomatoes clear security?

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[Jeanne Adams](https://substack.com/profile/108526105-jeanne-adams?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272925439 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:54 PM")

Loudly booed, as only New Yorkers can do.

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[EJHC](https://substack.com/profile/8315670-ejhc?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870960 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:06 PM")

Paul said, "I’m jet-lagged out of my mind..."

And I just want to say that Paul makes more sense jet-lagged out of his mind than most people do when they're sane, sober, and well-rested. Thanks for showing up every day, Paul, rain or shine. You are the best.

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[M. Layfield](https://substack.com/profile/19309274-m-layfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272917251 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:37 PM")

I second that, and everybody else agrees. 👍💙

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[Ed (Iowa)](https://substack.com/profile/9232357-ed-iowa?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272868231 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:00 PM") Edited

To me it's obvious: Trump is doing this precisely to stick it to New Yorkers. (To be honest, I'm not sure he had the smarts to figure this out on his own...)

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[PipandJoe](https://substack.com/profile/306581051-pipandjoe?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869592 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:03 PM")

I agree that neither thinking or caring about others is in his wheelhouse of ability.

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[Bobbette Strauss](https://substack.com/profile/69551892-bobbette-strauss?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872786 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:09 PM")

America: beware of malignant narcissists. That’s the lesson of tRump.

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[Sandy S](https://substack.com/profile/156210062-sandy-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272879408 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:22 PM")

He actually said when asked about the inflated prices of the tickets for this match that is making the game prohibitive for the average sports fan, he said, "...they could watch it on TV." So there you go, he could not be caught dead watching the game on TV now. .... Well come to think of it, maybe he could be caught dead ...!!! LOL

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[Untrump](https://substack.com/profile/209326075-untrump?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273099834 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:21 AM")

He watched hours of cop beating on Jan 6th,,,

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[Peter D](https://substack.com/profile/272615529-peter-d?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272873477 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:10 PM")

That’s the only thing in his wheelhouse. Bring on the BOOOs!

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272895837 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:54 PM")

He probably has ICE staking out the watch parties.

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[Jason](https://substack.com/profile/36749613-jason?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884418 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:31 PM")

I agree.

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[Vickie Berry](https://substack.com/profile/221485756-vickie-berry?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273008474 "Jun 8, 2026, 9:15 PM") Edited

Ed (Iowa)), yes, Holman is currently putting together a plan to unleash ICE on New York City since the Governor passed the law that law enforcement agencies who are holding immigrants will not be cooperating with ICE. Article in the Guardian today. 🤬

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[US Blues](https://substack.com/profile/329529814-us-blues?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273050159 "Jun 8, 2026, 11:12 PM")

He will probably fall asleep or leave after a few minutes.

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[Untrump](https://substack.com/profile/209326075-untrump?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273100180 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:22 AM")

Clean up on aisle 47. Bring disinfectant!

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[Dawn](https://substack.com/profile/56188609-dawn?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869317 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:03 PM")

Trump never cared about anyone except himself. MAGA voters were conned. Now he shows us every day in every way that his only values are self-aggrandizement and accumulation of capital. He's like a middle finger raised to the whole country every single day.

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[andré](https://substack.com/profile/210632649-andre?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272906037 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:14 PM")

The problem is that Trump is the ultimate weakling. He doubts his importance, requiring reassurance by others he thinks are important (especially dictators), and by showing he can inconvenience others at will.

Which is why Carney standing up to him in Canada, and Iran defying and mocking him, is so hard for him to take.

Trump will do everything he can to scrap the trade deal with Canada (to the detriment of the US) in his attempt to show he is "important".

Eventually, of course, no one believes him.

He has become the biggest international joke.

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[Sandy S](https://substack.com/profile/156210062-sandy-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272882579 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:28 PM")

Oh you mean he is not a doctor who cares for all and can heal with the power of his touch?

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[Jeff Luth](https://substack.com/profile/12496614-jeff-luth?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273015008 "Jun 8, 2026, 9:32 PM")

MAGA voters care only about themselves, their bigotry, and cruelty. So they match Trump.

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[Frau Katze](https://substack.com/profile/100295814-frau-katze?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272983320 "Jun 8, 2026, 8:09 PM")

They knew what they were getting (most of them). Mass deportations? Check. Tax cuts? Check. Deregulation? Check. Kooky vaccine ideas? Check.

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[Joseph Garry](https://substack.com/profile/82573194-joseph-garry?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272867968 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:00 PM")

Boo the shit out of that bozo

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[James Coyle](https://substack.com/profile/82113552-james-coyle?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872978 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:09 PM")

That would take a LOT of booing.

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[Acela](https://substack.com/profile/219510009-acela?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272875399 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:14 PM")

Not enough booing to accomplish that in all of Manhattan, even...

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[Sandy S](https://substack.com/profile/156210062-sandy-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272875080 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:13 PM")

LOL :-)

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[Beth Pacheco](https://substack.com/profile/108221067-beth-pacheco?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869811 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:03 PM")

If President Obama was the president now, he would be thoughtful and realize that his presence would cause chaos and watch the game on TV.

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[StefG](https://substack.com/profile/395003328-stefg?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870553 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:05 PM")

Or he would try to sneak in and accidentally end up playing point guard

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[Sandy S](https://substack.com/profile/156210062-sandy-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272886878 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:36 PM")

Oh please don't give DJT any ideas! You know how he wants to one up Obama.

BTW --- Has everyone seen the Cage Match THING on the White House lawn??? We need to stop this lunatic!!!!

Like (15)

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[Cherie](https://substack.com/profile/99673685-cherie?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272923847 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:51 PM")

He's amazingly "white trash" for someone born into 3rd-generation wealth.

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[Frau Katze](https://substack.com/profile/100295814-frau-katze?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272984189 "Jun 8, 2026, 8:12 PM")

No class at all.

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[HCinKC](https://substack.com/profile/311621473-hcinkc?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272947117 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:42 PM")

Right? Gold leaf and white marble are the highest echelon of taste…to a Russian oligarch or upstart from the 1980s.

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[Untrump](https://substack.com/profile/209326075-untrump?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273101070 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:26 AM")

he has the taste of George Santos on Kaopectate.

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[Sandra Greer](https://substack.com/profile/271859770-sandra-greer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273037367 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:32 PM")

It's a Queens boro thing.

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[Sandy S](https://substack.com/profile/156210062-sandy-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273039404 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:38 PM")

Good to know! :-)

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[Vickie Berry](https://substack.com/profile/221485756-vickie-berry?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273009774 "Jun 8, 2026, 9:18 PM")

There’s currently a lawsuit to shut it down.

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[Barbara](https://substack.com/profile/6518372-barbara?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872714 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:09 PM")

😂‼️

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[M. Layfield](https://substack.com/profile/19309274-m-layfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272917910 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:38 PM")

LOL! Thank you, I needed that chuckle, and you are spot on. 👍💙

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[Susan Borkowski](https://substack.com/profile/18035965-susan-borkowski?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272887457 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:37 PM")

I recall that very early in Obama’s term, he didn’t realize what a fuss it would cause, and he came home for the weekend to Hyde Park. I was in a plane trying to land at OHare that afternoon, and the pilot came on the mic to say that air traffic would be delayed, circling, because President Obama’s plane was coming in. OMG. Not a good reaction.

Well, Obama was horrified that the fact that he was flying in had such a crippling effect on OHare. I recall a public apology. And he never came home for the weekend again. At least not so that anyone would notice.

Poor guy. Just wanted to be at home. Sleep in his own bed. Ya’know? But he cared. Never did it again ( such that anyone would notice.)

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[Untrump](https://substack.com/profile/209326075-untrump?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273101336 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:27 AM")

When America was Great!

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[Sharon](https://substack.com/profile/35281868-sharon?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273058754 "Jun 8, 2026, 11:40 PM")

Actually, I think that's true of every president we've had up until this clown.

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[PaulFromPhilly](https://substack.com/profile/114883-paulfromphilly?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870248 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:04 PM")

It’s all because the Knicks owner Jim Dolan who personally invited Trump to the game , because they are good friends.

It’s sickening.,

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[Gw](https://substack.com/profile/285583151-gw?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272897599 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:57 PM")

I find it ironic that Trump now finds it safe enough to venture out to a basketball game when he declared the WHCD shooting incident made the case for his ballroom.

Truth Social post: "What happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military, Secret Service, Law Enforcement and, for different reasons, every President for the last 150 years, have been DEMANDING that a large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE. This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough! While beautiful, it has every highest level security feature there is plus, there are no rooms sitting on top for unsecured people to pour in, and is inside the gates of the most secure building in the World, The White House."

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[Susan Fitzpatrick](https://substack.com/profile/9263248-susan-fitzpatrick?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907706 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:18 PM")

Thought much the same. Once again, hypocrisy rules the day.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273032123 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:18 PM")

No one in 150 years yearned for a WH ballroom, no one. Nor did anyone think a grotesque arch (which he did say was for himself) was appropriate for the USA.

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[Carol Jackson](https://substack.com/profile/315432519-carol-jackson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272992488 "Jun 8, 2026, 8:33 PM")

Be careful. He'll double the price tag so the ballroom can be converted to a basketball court.

Like (2)

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273032664 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:19 PM")

What is a drone port and who came up with that idea, certainly not trump?

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273031137 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:15 PM")

trump has no friends, only the morally equivalent of remoras

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[Kae Stoddard](https://substack.com/profile/476589-kae-stoddard?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870425 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:05 PM")

I'm wondering if he's going to stage another assassination attempt.

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[Jon Margolis](https://substack.com/profile/433824949-jon-margolis?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272879560 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:22 PM")

As Jimmy Kimmel noted, it's surprising that Trump is not rooting for the Spurs. After all, they kept him out of Vietnam.

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[spenlo](https://substack.com/profile/188023008-spenlo?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272922514 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:48 PM")

A comedic touch was needed!

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[Mtugendhat@me.com](https://substack.com/profile/35500326-mtugendhatmecom?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272868975 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:02 PM")

Clearly he feels he isn't getting enough attention.

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[Sandy S](https://substack.com/profile/156210062-sandy-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884747 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:32 PM")

Like Mary Trump says, "Too much, is never enough" ..... He probably has bets on the damn chaos he will cause.

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[M. Layfield](https://substack.com/profile/19309274-m-layfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272920197 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:43 PM")

PolyMarket must be rising…What do you guys want to bet on? No money involved here, just something for our own amusement. I’ve got a hot can of Diet Coke, some old tortilla chips and an XXXL diaper. I’m betting we are all fed-up with this.

Like (3)

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[Sandy S](https://substack.com/profile/156210062-sandy-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272933683 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:12 PM")

Okay I'll bite! I'm betting he will fall asleep at least twice. :-)

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273033990 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:23 PM")

Nothing should be so greatly feared as empty fame. Leonardo da Vinci, Thoughts on Art and Life

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[Ruth Gais](https://substack.com/profile/8016635-ruth-gais?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272871083 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:06 PM")

I totally agree in your comments, Paul. Having spent years commuting in and out of Penn Station and experienced all its difficulties, I see this as another example of Trump's selfish behavior. He could watch it on TV like most of us..

But I hope the Knicks win!

Kudos to Mamdani and the Briant Park Watch Party!

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[Robert Funicello](https://substack.com/profile/5274533-robert-funicello?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869105 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:02 PM")

Oh and then there's the cost for this absurd indulgence.

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[Colin Peter Leach](https://substack.com/profile/25297743-colin-peter-leach?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272871342 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:06 PM")

In Texas there was a different issue:

The "Ted Cruz Curse" is a popular sports superstition in Texas. Fans claim that whenever the U.S. Senator attends a game for a Texas team, that team loses. The tongue-in-cheek phenomenon has gained massive traction, with a 1-8 combined record for college football teams in his presence and even a satirical resolution proposed to ban him from attending state sporting events.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884023 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:31 PM") Edited

No doubt he will beome bored and leave early

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[NYCgrrl](https://substack.com/profile/108812208-nycgrrl?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870525 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:05 PM")

It's not as if he cares about the Knicks winning. He's going to delude himself that the cheers are for him.

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[John](https://substack.com/profile/2023282-john?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870318 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:04 PM")

Maybe he will get a seat near Spike Lee...or Kristin Welker!

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[M. Layfield](https://substack.com/profile/19309274-m-layfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272921260 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:45 PM")

Good one!

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[Susan Power](https://substack.com/profile/58216304-susan-power?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869681 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:03 PM")

He most likely will eat a ton of food and fall asleep

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[Msnymph](https://substack.com/profile/245706562-msnymph?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272881195 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:25 PM")

And leave at halftime. Bored.

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[M. Layfield](https://substack.com/profile/19309274-m-layfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272920551 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:44 PM")

Will he trip, try to grab someone on his way down?

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[Robot Bender](https://substack.com/profile/5399534-robot-bender?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272975357 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:50 PM")

Does MSG have a McDonald's? 😆

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[Jef Jons](https://substack.com/profile/130459306-jef-jons?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870497 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:05 PM")

He cant be in the White House safely without a one Billion dollar golden trump temple but he can go to MSG and sit outside for a UFC match safely.... 🤔

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[Rich Snow](https://substack.com/profile/186232102-rich-snow?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872505 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:09 PM")

And this fat orange bastard will probably not even watch the game. He will be busy with his tiny hands posting crap non stop! MORON. Self centered piece of dirt! HORRIBLE specimen of the human species.

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272898385 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:59 PM")

I'm not willing to grant that he's human.

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[M. Layfield](https://substack.com/profile/19309274-m-layfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272922148 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:47 PM")

BINGO!

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[Pete Shanks](https://substack.com/profile/1551916-pete-shanks?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272915232 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:33 PM")

I think we need major surgery to check (anesthetics are for wimps but we might let the subject bite down on something). All on live TV.

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[Chris](https://substack.com/profile/325552066-chris?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870024 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:04 PM")

Let's add, specifically: blue-state people. Big city blue-state people. He's expressing his contempt for people who didn't vote for him because their votes are lost anyway so why bother.

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[Nobody from nowhere](https://substack.com/profile/20088285-nobody-from-nowhere?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880989 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:25 PM")

Obama was a basketball fanatic. Total number of NBA Finals games he attended as president: Z.E.R.O. Why? Because he understood everything didn't have to be about him.

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[Carolyn Herz](https://substack.com/profile/639187-carolyn-herz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272871590 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:07 PM")

Other presidents have refrained from attending many events, because they know how disruptive the security for the president is. But Trump has no consideration whatsoever for others. For him, it's always "Me Myself and I." So immature and selfish.

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[Pamela Ross](https://substack.com/profile/8244589-pamela-ross?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272887198 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:37 PM")

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the entire crowd at MSG booed Trump continuously till he gave up and left? Go for it, New Yorkers!

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[spenlo](https://substack.com/profile/188023008-spenlo?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272923176 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:49 PM")

Considering the owner's invitation, it would be nice if no one bought tickets and just watched from outside.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273035258 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:26 PM") Edited

I hope an entire section will moon him and show it on the jumbotron

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[David Ehlinger](https://substack.com/profile/99888597-david-ehlinger?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880689 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:24 PM")

MSG doesn't have a ballroom, how's Trump gonna be safe there?

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[Ray Zielinski](https://substack.com/profile/45551293-ray-zielinski?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272873303 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:10 PM")

For the cost of security he could have bought tickets and given them away. But magnanimous gestures are not in his nature.

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[MR-PacNW](https://substack.com/profile/10214252-mr-pacnw?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272871713 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:07 PM")

As a commenter pointed out, this is a thumb in the eye by a Queens native who has never and will never find acceptance in Manhattan. So, punish the fans and commuters to watch a game live in which he has almost no interest. The bonus will be the headlines showing the disruption and the fan’s negative reactions. Just more fodder for his rallies.

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[Jeff Nelson](https://substack.com/profile/232092396-jeff-nelson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872058 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:08 PM")

What a total waste. He will no doubt get booed relentlessly, and then will probably leave before half time because his feelings got hurt from all the booing, so what will be the point other than to just screw the average NY'er. I wouldn't doubt that he is doing this more or less out of spite, because he knows how much NYC hates him.

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[Don B](https://substack.com/profile/250163773-don-b?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272925289 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:54 PM")

But his base will love him for it.

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[James Louis](https://substack.com/profile/692642-james-louis?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272871116 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:06 PM")

Making other people suffer IS the point. I CAN DO THAT!

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[Michelle W.](https://substack.com/profile/518166-michelle-w?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870881 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:06 PM")

And the worst part is, either he is so far gone he simply cannot realize he will be booed "like never before," or, and more likely, not only will he get oodles of self-gratification by making thousands of people he despises totally miserable, from game attendees to ordinary commuters just trying to get from A to B, never mind anyone just happening to be visiting the area, since in whatever mind he has left, "any attention is good attention" and he can use it to indulge his persecution complex in a full 10-course grievance banquet on his private "social" media later tonight.

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[Don B](https://substack.com/profile/250163773-don-b?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272925979 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:55 PM")

Yup. He’s gonna love it.

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[Deb Abbott](https://substack.com/profile/5214621-deb-abbott?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272976529 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:52 PM")

Negative attention-seeking behavior is also referred to as maladaptive attention-seeking or pathological attention-seeking. Instead of a healthy or positive connection, individuals use disruptive or harmful actions (e.g., provoking arguments, playing the victim, or acting out) to get others to focus on them).

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): Attention-seeking is usually accompanied by a grandiose sense of self, where manipulation or conflict is used to demand admiration.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Commonly diagnosed in children and teens, this involves deliberate rule-breaking and hostile actions meant to provoke negative reactions from authority figures.

DJT meets the diagnostic criteria for both NPD and ODD (ODD based on numerous accounts by family members).

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[Paul E. Knee](https://substack.com/profile/79177348-paul-e-knee?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272873205 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:10 PM")

Making it hard on NYC is the point. Cruelty and revenge is all he can focus on now.

He’s rooting for himself, and definitely not the Knicks- you realize he knows nothing about the game and was probably the last kid picked to be on a team.

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[gwpriester](https://substack.com/profile/35902253-gwpriester?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870086 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:04 PM")

Because it always has to be about him.

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[Hari Prasad](https://substack.com/profile/146350562-hari-prasad?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272887918 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:38 PM") Edited

Trump is a malignant narcissist - by definition, he's also a solipsist. Others don't exist except as objects to gratify his need for attention, praise, and flattery, his lusts, and hunger for money and revenge.

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[Stephen Kaufman](https://substack.com/profile/17595252-stephen-kaufman?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272887642 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:38 PM")

Millions hopeful he won't leave the Garden vertically. Go KNICKS!

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[Nigel](https://substack.com/profile/74744441-nigel?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272887575 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:38 PM")

Look beyond the news - this is just another distraction to hide what he really doesn't want people focussing on - the poor control he has over the Iran war, the Epstein files, the sidelining of the US by Ukraine over negotiating with Russia, the clear knowledge that Putin is a loser in this war, and then the Tax Amnesty for his family. Anything else?

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[sallie reynolds](https://substack.com/profile/1141583-sallie-reynolds?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272881069 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:25 PM")

Well, of course he doesn't care about any of "us." He took away food stamps, medical coverage, started a war that is costing those of us in CA to spend $6 a gal for regular gas. And when asked, he admits he cares nothing for us. Only cares that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb." Which until he came along, they probably couldn't. Now they probably casn.

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[andré](https://substack.com/profile/210632649-andre?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272916074 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:35 PM")

The nuclear bomb Iran never wanted. Since they considered arms of massive destruction highly immoral.

If you look at the consequences of wars since 1945, nuclear bombs have only been about show of force.

Never have they EVER decided a war, even in 1945.

(In 1945 Japan was isolated, partly occupied, with no offensive capacity. They couldn't even import the food they needed. It was only a matter of time - probably months - before their total surrender.)

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273038240 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:34 PM")

the ayattolah issued a fatwa vs nukes saying nuke were unislamic because they would kill noncombatants. Iran signed the NPT and israel has not and has 90-400 nukes

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[andré](https://substack.com/profile/210632649-andre?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273105080 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:43 AM")

Exactly.

He did that long before there was any discussion of limiting Iran from developing nuclear capabilities, including nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

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[Bill Orme](https://substack.com/profile/5683418-bill-orme?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272876066 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:15 PM")

Power play, pure and simple. He knows that most of his fellow New Yorkers detest him and always have - his own lawyers have argued that this is an incontestable truth in seeking to move his many trials out of the city. So why not inconvenience thousands of disloyally Democratic sports fans and commuters? Serves them right.

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[Jonathan Grudin](https://substack.com/profile/177098205-jonathan-grudin?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869750 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:03 PM")

Especially when most of them New Yorkers are Democrats anyway.

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[StefG](https://substack.com/profile/395003328-stefg?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869529 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:03 PM")

Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It once again would be the right musical coda for this day's post.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273036666 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:30 PM")

and that clip fron Network Go to the window and shout I'm made as hell and won't take any longer

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[Steve Rolston](https://substack.com/profile/2018338-steve-rolston?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272890788 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:44 PM")

I rarely disagree with your POV. The story is The Knicks and everyone wants to celebrate an amazing run. Even, perhaps, this often tone-deaf president. Let’s stop mentioning him and let the Knicks and their fans enjoy this moment, this streak of togetherness for the team and the city.

We fans will find our way in (those who have tickets) and the rest of us will find a good spot to watch and cheer.

Ain’t nobody going to ruin the mood. Let’s go Knicks!!!!

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[Jackie Palmer](https://substack.com/profile/207330077-jackie-palmer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272873672 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:11 PM")

Oh, joy, really expensive bread and circuses. It's all about him, after all.

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[Don B](https://substack.com/profile/250163773-don-b?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272924714 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:53 PM")

And, of course, Trump is the greatest basketball player of all time.

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[Jerry Weinstein](https://substack.com/profile/322973045-jerry-weinstein?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872063 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:08 PM")

Thank you Paul. There is no reason whatsoever especially for the reasons you pointed out that so many people have to be inconvenienced. Opportunism run amok. So looking forward to the day when someone

else is calling the shots. Return to normalcy please! Thank you.

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[James Harold McClure](https://substack.com/profile/27375754-james-harold-mcclure?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272871719 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:07 PM")

You might agree with Stephen A. Smith on this one. Yea Stephen A. is at times a Trump apologist but not on this one. Stephen A. may be the most obnoxious Knicks fan ever but come on. He is as angry at the disruption to NBA fans as you are if not more. In fact, Stephen A. is afraid this Trump stunt may favor the visiting team and if the Knicks lose this game, Stephen A. will support Democrats. OK - that's a piss poor way of deciding on politics but anything that takes down Trump's reign of terror is a good thing.

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[Luuk Knippenberg](https://substack.com/profile/330330104-luuk-knippenberg?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869721 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:03 PM")

Indeed, the man and his paladins, do not give a damn about anybody else, not even their so called friends, or the US. They are just in it for themselves, the money and their family. You are ruled by the Mob, supported by the big 7. A really bad movie.

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[Mark Behnke](https://substack.com/profile/23610212-mark-behnke?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272866839 "Jun 8, 2026, 3:58 PM")

As long as we consume however, they’ll maybe keep us around a bit longer.

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[Bruce Sterman](https://substack.com/profile/142324190-bruce-sterman?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907468 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:17 PM")

I am hoping the Boo Birds will make him regret showing up. Maybe, if we are lucky, we get chants of "lock him up.?"

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273039707 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:39 PM")

or have a section moon himn and show it on the jumbotron while "Jail to the Chief" is played

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[Lidia](https://substack.com/profile/13406574-lidia?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272897195 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:56 PM")

He's a sadist, and that's been obvious all his life.

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[Peter](https://substack.com/profile/836878-peter?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272896041 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:54 PM")

It’s Trump’s way of giving folks in Manhattan the middle finger. I’m going to watch the game tonight just to hear the crowd “ boo” and hiss at him if he is introduced. After the chaos of getting him inside MSG, he will likely slither out quite early.

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[CB](https://substack.com/profile/296299060-cb?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272887258 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:37 PM")

Nothing says Trump like not caring about anyone other than himself.

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[CLR](https://substack.com/profile/16364800-clr?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272888961 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:40 PM")

You mean there is someone other than chump? Who knew!!!

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[Turgut Tuten](https://substack.com/profile/298714491-turgut-tuten?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272876950 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:17 PM")

You New Yorkers are lucky compared to us in Istanbul where our Dear Leader likes to spend time away from the capital. His every move in town brings hardship to hundreds of thousands because of traffic blocks, sections of town being completely shut off, etc.

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272905302 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:12 PM") Edited

You have my sympathy. I've been tied up by two security caravans in my life. The first one delayed me about ten minutes. The second one delayed me about two hours. They just get worse. And then there was the cancelled flight in Alaska because DonnyJon was passing over Anchorage while returning from North Korea. That cost me $300 (five of us chartered a private plane to get to King Salmon on time). I can't imagine having to put up with that every weekend.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273038902 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:36 PM")

I saw LBJ getting out of the presidential limo to go to church little security.

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[Beth](https://substack.com/profile/2375079-beth?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870829 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:05 PM")

Precisely. He’s seen the excitement—the love!—pouring forth for Brunson, his stellar team leadership, and all the Knicks and he just can’t stand that no one gives a flying f about him or anything around him, so he needs to try and …get some of it? Blech!

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[Aderemi A Adeyeye](https://substack.com/profile/26335680-aderemi-a-adeyeye?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272869059 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:02 PM")

That is Mr. Trump.

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[Ryan Collay](https://substack.com/profile/300081561-ryan-collay?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907198 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:16 PM")

Of course New York both invented him as well as codified his brand so he could screw them again! just ‘cause…

I blame reporters who couldn’t met their deadlines, while nursing their hangovers, and called his for a quick, get out of jail free, quote… of course now he’s just being an asshole! Last gasp we all hope.

I would pay money to see him out on the court 3 on 3, as the NY times expires.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273041926 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:46 PM")

Hell, I'll meet him in that cage fight ring at the WH despite age and surgeries, I'll practice Alis moves and poetics

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[Drew Knox](https://substack.com/profile/7000472-drew-knox?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272906458 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:15 PM")

Call me an optimist but I dream of a social outing, like tonight's Knicks game, where the entire audience harasses this president with constant jeers. In unison. At every timeout. With choruses up to the rafters and so ugly they couldn't be broadcast on tv.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273042142 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:46 PM")

sections mooning him

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[Writeorama](https://substack.com/profile/101533839-writeorama?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272885058 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:32 PM")

Any betting on whether he dozes off?

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272900241 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:02 PM")

I'm sure you can find a bookie in the city who will give you odds. You can get odds on anything in Manhattan.

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[Howington](https://substack.com/profile/320376557-howington?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272882468 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:28 PM")

Just a small observation. The apparatchiks owning it announced beforehand that the new version of the Trump administration would be “flooding the zone.” Meaning what appears to be scheduling breaking news events so fast that journalism couldn’t keep a focus on them long enough for anything to react. So, here we are. Didn’t we kidnap the president of a South American country - and his wife - not long ago? Wasn’t there a release of all the Epstein files? Didn’t we assist the Israelis in assassinating the supreme leader of a middle east country. Didn’t we shut down all of our humanitarian aid? Might the fallout from that be an epidemic that kills hudreds of thousands.

And isn’t the administration keeping us so off balance that we find ourselves standing agape at the spectacle, distracted from the work that enriches our very lives?

And keeps Dr Krugman focused less on economic thought and more on the craziness?

So the craziness is working for them.

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[Rhonda Bowen](https://substack.com/profile/24629146-rhonda-bowen?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272881319 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:25 PM")

Perhaps it’s a set-up for ‘another’ assassination attempt.

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[donnajoslyn](https://substack.com/profile/4936062-donnajoslyn?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880971 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:25 PM")

I'm on the other coast, but I agree that better arrangements should have been made. And I hope he does get booed nonstop. However - I dread when a president - any president - comes within a hundred miles of where I live near Portland OR. They close Interstate 5 from SW Clark Co WA, through downtown Portland, practically to the south side of the city. Even if I like a president, I cringe when they decide to come here for any reason, because it will be a mess. When Bush The Younger came he had black helicopters hovering over the train tracks near me in SW WA. Unreal.

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[Dana](https://substack.com/profile/16675776-dana?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272873938 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:11 PM")

:O Trump not caring about the welfare or lives of other people??? I AM SHOCKED! If Trump has a defining quality it is that he only cares about himself. Let me post this again here. From the DSM-V for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

The Nine DSM-5 Criteria for NPD

A diagnosis is rendered if the individual exhibits five or more of the following traits:

Grandiosity: Exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements.

Fantasies: Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

Uniqueness: Believes they are "special" and unique, associating only with high-status people or institutions.

Admiration: Requires excessive admiration.

Entitlement: Has unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance.

Exploitation: Is interpersonally exploitative, taking advantage of others to achieve personal ends.

Lack of Empathy: Is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

Envy: Is often envious of others or believes others are envious of them.

Arrogance: Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors and attitudes.

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[Sandra Greer](https://substack.com/profile/271859770-sandra-greer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907886 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:18 PM")

He gets a high score on this one!

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[Matthew Hembree](https://substack.com/profile/117745868-matthew-hembree?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872333 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:08 PM")

He's been a Spurs fan since 1968

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[George Hicks](https://substack.com/profile/201564281-george-hicks?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272928616 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:01 PM")

Just when Knicks fans were starting to question hating Steve Dolan all these many years...

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[David Thompson](https://substack.com/profile/26448057-david-thompson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272918380 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:39 PM")

He couldn't make it to Donkey Jr's wedding because of the war he started with Iran, but he can go to a basketball game while the same idiotic war continues to cause death and destruction? What a complete buffoon.

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[Seth M Kaplowitz](https://substack.com/profile/16336836-seth-m-kaplowitz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272915939 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:34 PM")

You are not really surprised, are you? Of course he is going to inconvenience everyone…a putrid president’s power demonstration of I don’t give a flying F about you. In fact, he probably will want the trophy of the winner. Such a pathetic individual! I truly wish it weren’t so.

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[Matthew Lantz](https://substack.com/profile/114222-matthew-lantz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272914814 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:32 PM")

He’s a fucking asshole every second of every day.

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[Raven Onthill](https://substack.com/profile/107678609-raven-onthill?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272914043 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:30 PM")

It's also a sign of physical cowardice.

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[Old Man with a Dog](https://substack.com/profile/61384184-old-man-with-a-dog?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272913728 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:30 PM")

He is enjoying, and will continue to enjoy, the chaos and confusion his presence ensures! As far as he knows it’s the only way for him to get noticed by a large crowd tonight.

I hope I will be able to hear the BOOS down here in Texas!

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[David Betts](https://substack.com/profile/23387119-david-betts?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907458 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:17 PM")

trump will make a token appearance, lest he be caught sleeping on the jumbotron.

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[Robert P. Walsh](https://substack.com/profile/36837043-robert-p-walsh?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272905718 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:13 PM")

If the deranged man child with the mind of a toddler does not blow up the world in the next 18 months it will be a miracle. Management by 5 year old. I attended a military funeral in DC a few years ago. Pres. Obama sent his military aide who spoke. A family member was offended that POTUS did not attend. They had no idea what it would have cost in $ and disruption.

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[Joseph Felser](https://substack.com/profile/178031783-joseph-felser?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272904634 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:11 PM")

Everything about Trump is a gesture of contempt to the human race, because to him, only he exists.

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[Matt](https://substack.com/profile/92765929-matt?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272895996 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:54 PM")

Trump to City: Drop Dead.

IYKYK

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[James Hart](https://substack.com/profile/20612887-james-hart?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272892445 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:47 PM")

Trump is a Spurs fan. Helped him avoid the Vietnam war. 🤷🏻

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[Ken Doxsee](https://substack.com/profile/258336477-ken-doxsee?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272892090 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:46 PM")

Honestly, I would argue he wants to go to the game precisely BECAUSE it will inconvenience the “little people.”

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[Chenda](https://substack.com/profile/155968721-chenda?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272888643 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:40 PM")

Penn station was one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world, until it was shamefully torn down and replaced by an architectural abomination.

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[Bryan Williams](https://substack.com/profile/267025469-bryan-williams?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272885795 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:34 PM")

Just a few days ago, Trump was dismissing fans who couldn't afford the thousands of dollars that tickets were going for. (These publicly-funded stadiums turn around and build luxury lounge type experiences for the extremely wealthy.)

But the idea of Trump missing a game is not even a possibility. (And do we really think Trump cares about basketball?)

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273043538 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:51 PM")

the people shouldn't build stadia for the billiinaire team owners, that's socialism

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[Philip](https://substack.com/profile/51186587-philip?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272885003 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:32 PM")

Looking forward to the idiot-in-chief being given the appropriate Bronx cheer and boos Tuesday. I knew nothing about the Knicks, but the owner invited him, and apparently the owner is not well liked anyways. War smoldering, and Nero is Nowhere except seeking entertainment and praise He'll be in the men's room piddling while the Middle East burns.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273040703 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:42 PM")

and a section to moon him, though he may take that as an invitation

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[Henry Cohen](https://substack.com/profile/13005682-henry-cohen?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884387 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:31 PM")

I disagree that Trump thinks "I want this so I’m going to make other people’s lives miserable just to indulge my whim." He is a narcissist, so it would never enter his mind that he's making other people's lives miserable. A silver lining might be that his making people's lives miserable could cost him votes, but no one in New York City would vote for him anyway.

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[Ed Iannuccilli](https://substack.com/profile/10564155-ed-iannuccilli?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272883082 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:29 PM")

The President does what he wants with no recourse. When will it end?

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[CLR](https://substack.com/profile/16364800-clr?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272890490 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:43 PM")

Tonight would be a great time for it to end.

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[Donna Muse](https://substack.com/profile/47224586-donna-muse?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272882565 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:28 PM")

He will sleep through most of it.

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[Msnymph](https://substack.com/profile/245706562-msnymph?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880329 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:23 PM")

Trump was invited to the game by Dolan, the owner of MSG and the hellhole that is the Penn Station rail terminal beneath it. The two of them should be condemned to life spent down there, with no light of day.

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[Hoping you'd say this...](https://substack.com/profile/34843206-hoping-youd-say-this?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272875877 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:15 PM")

Yes. Let's hope they can't start the game for 15 or 20 minutes because of the reaction to him. Somewhere in that power-addled brain is the idea that this will further endure him to the macho faction of the Republican Party. I wonder what proportion of the people who are able to afford the high cost of a playoff ticket and will run into problems are Republicans? Oh, wait..! They might be the only ones with enough spare change to afford playoff tickets now. Wouldn't it be fun if the Knicks organization announced that, because of security concerns, they were postponing the game for a day...

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[Jeff](https://substack.com/profile/3290982-jeff?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872012 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:08 PM")

It would be a real shame if several dozen fans passed Donnie Big Gulp cups of Diet Coke. I mean, it's his favorite drink.

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[PipandJoe](https://substack.com/profile/306581051-pipandjoe?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870365 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:05 PM")

Welcome home.

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[Ada Fuller](https://substack.com/profile/35496535-ada-fuller?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272868913 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:02 PM")

Spurs fan here. I hope this brings a win for the Spurs. That should bring New Yorkers even more hatred for trump!

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[BTAM Master](https://substack.com/profile/41333369-btam-master?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870515 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:05 PM")

As an ex-New Yorker, I'm not 100% sure how to react to this comment.

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[Jim Brown](https://substack.com/profile/23292023-jim-brown?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273058046 "Jun 8, 2026, 11:37 PM")

In his view, it's a Blue city in a Blue state, so the shutdown is a feature, not a bug.

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[James Heckman](https://substack.com/profile/25899504-james-heckman?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272967977 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:31 PM")

Look folks. New Yorkers need precious little motivation to boo any time anywhere, so this opportunity will be the best fun they've had in years. As for the rest of us, seeing Trump have his ass handed to him will provide deep satisfaction seldom experiences.

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[Sapan](https://substack.com/profile/2803850-sapan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272965940 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:26 PM")

It’s less that he’s attending \*despite\* the fact that he will hold up 100s of thousands of people, more \*because\* of it, and because he wants to show them that he has power over them.

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[chris lemon](https://substack.com/profile/8699641-chris-lemon?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272942445 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:31 PM")

Can someone print up thousands of T Shirts with either Obama, Putin, or Epstein's face on them, and hand them out to all the people going to the game? That would be cool.

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[Freddie Baudat](https://substack.com/profile/336379529-freddie-baudat?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273037355 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:32 PM")

Or a tshirt with a photo of Trump, sound asleep in a meeting.

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[Don B](https://substack.com/profile/250163773-don-b?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272927121 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:58 PM")

Distraction from all his failures. He’s “won” again. Even PK fell for it.

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[Dana](https://substack.com/profile/4898639-dana?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272915833 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:34 PM")

He doesn't care, Paul. These aren't his voters and he knows it. Making them miserable is the point of the exercise.

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[Newcavendish](https://substack.com/profile/1979523-newcavendish?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272913863 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:30 PM")

An excellent comment. And the same goes for the "United Nations Week" in the Fall. If the hyper security figures would just deliver their remarks by video, the real people of New York would be spared no end of grief, inconvenience, and insult. (And, anyway, if Trump just took a taxi anonymously to the venue, without all the show, everybody, including him, would be safer and better off.)

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[Carol Mardeusz](https://substack.com/profile/29165131-carol-mardeusz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907474 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:17 PM")

This is one of the most stupid things this potus has done. He is putting the lives of several thousand people in jeopardy because he wants what he wants and his security team has no common sense.

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[Toni Shanti](https://substack.com/profile/328084469-toni-shanti?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272905301 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:12 PM")

Inconveniencing all of us, the entire planet, is his goal.

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[David Earle](https://substack.com/profile/11756359-david-earle?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272900361 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:03 PM")

I’m sorry to say this, but I had no idea that Penn Station was below Madison Square Garden. I would think this would make commuting in and out of New York City an order of magnitude worse than usual, given that the orange turd has to be at the biggest game in the United States right now.

To me, this is Trump giving a big FU to the people of New York City, as I’m sure he knows they hate him immensely.

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[andré](https://substack.com/profile/210632649-andre?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272899244 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:00 PM")

So somebody is saying somewhere that no pedistrians UNDER (or maybe beside) the stadium increases Trump's security ? Sounds like incompetance of the security apparatus to me.

I've seen stadiums in close proximity to public transit, where intelligent security would be able to avoid banning pedestrians in proximaty.

Although, other fans attending the game will necessarily be pedestrians. How does he square the circle ?

Maybe, as you suggest, it is only Trump's way of showing that he is "important".

Otherwise, how would ordinary people have the feintest idea ?

I guess he has to reinforce his frail ego somehow.

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[RJCrane](https://substack.com/profile/420242804-rjcrane?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272898100 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:58 PM")

Let's hope there's lots of jeers and cheers: TRUMP - EPSTEIN!!! TRUMP-EPSTEIN!! The first game broke an NBA record of 17 million tv viewers. So the goal should be to make Trump suffer the entire game he's there by having a lot of people jeering at him Also MSG has to provide some kind of medical facility for him. too besides normal security. Not sure they can use what is provided for the players or they need their own. In other words that could result in another wasteful enterprise for management. This goes to show everyone that he doesn't care doubt regular fans although it's hard to know how many regular fans will be at this event considering the price of the worst seats in the arena in the nosebleed section are going for about $4,000 each last I heard.

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[Barbara](https://substack.com/profile/302563028-barbara?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272897333 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:57 PM")

I heard about this earlier on CNN and thought about Trump's contempt for ordinary people as I heard that women could not bring their purses with them to the neighborhood, let alone MSG itself. We Americans will spend tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars tonight so that Trump can watch a game, in addition to the inconvenience for those who live and work in and around Penn Station and MSG.

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[Spike](https://substack.com/profile/351992394-spike?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272896338 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:55 PM")

Can’t the game be shown for free to everyone this one time?

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[beckya57](https://substack.com/profile/1415357-beckya57?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272895599 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:53 PM")

This is absolutely typical of Trump of course, with the added bonus of giving NYC the finger. I don’t think he’s ever forgiven the city for not lionizing him they way he wanted.

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[Crystal Nipp](https://substack.com/profile/1154228-crystal-nipp?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272891636 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:45 PM")

And I am sure that all of the good folks of NYC and the surrounding areas will be sure to pay their contempt right back 1000 fold. I'm not a sports fan, but I sure am a fan of the folks of NYC! Go NYers! Show him what you think of that orange (word not used in polite company).

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[Bill Csajko](https://substack.com/profile/263617861-bill-csajko?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272886331 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:35 PM")

Forcing himself on people makes him feel powerful. He might not even mind the booing, since it reinforces that he’s making others do what they don’t want to do, I.e., abide his presence.

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[Sandra Greer](https://substack.com/profile/271859770-sandra-greer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273033484 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:21 PM")

That's the rapist mentality, deep in his soul.

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[Phyllis Colman](https://substack.com/profile/11416052-phyllis-colman?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884210 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:31 PM")

Welll perhaps it is irrational to expect ration behavior from the Numero Uno irrational homo sapien in our midst.

Good news......January 2029 is getting closer.....

Enjoy a c arefree day.

PRC

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907726 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:18 PM")

Scratch the "sapien" part.

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[Jason](https://substack.com/profile/36749613-jason?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884156 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:31 PM")

I wonder if he is doing it just for the trolling, since he hates NYC so much.

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[Amy](https://substack.com/profile/6927513-amy?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272883156 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:29 PM")

Not sure what I’d do if I had tickets. Maybe look at them as a sunk cost and watch the game at home or at my neighborhood bar. One thing is for sure: I’d be super pissed at the NBA. They should’ve simply told Trump that it is sold out. He’s not even a loyal fan.

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[Barry Kent MacKay](https://substack.com/profile/6909632-barry-kent-mackay?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272883105 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:29 PM")

He does not need to go to the game, but the fact that it will create such inconvenience for so many serfs and peons and nameless nobodies is exactly the point, an affirmation of his power. I trust he will be well booed. And note...critics of Mamdani's ideas are only that...they are not big on answers to the problems the man is trying to solve. He's not perfect; he makes mistakes, but he is trying to fix problems that affect the majority of folks in the city.

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[Winston Smith London Oceania](https://substack.com/profile/308852488-winston-smith-london-oceania?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272881605 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:26 PM")

This reminds of the time Dubya and Cheney held their 2004 rally at MSG. It was insane. Police and Secret Service vehicles were all over the place, with lights flashing and sirens blaring. It was like 9/11 all over again.

Interestingly, this will give the fans all the more reason to boo Trumpkopf vigorously.

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[Edmund Clingan](https://substack.com/profile/306831483-edmund-clingan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272893337 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:49 PM")

And Mike Bloomberg and Ray Kelly scooped up over 1,800 people and detained them at "Guantanamo on the Hudson" created for the occasion.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004\_Republican\_National\_Convention\_protest\_activity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Republican_National_Convention_protest_activity)

Now consider Bloomberg is spending $5 million to buy a congressional seat for his stooge Micah Lasher.

[https://www.jta.org/2026/03/13/ny/mike-bloomberg-wades-into-manhattan-congressional-race-giving-5m-to-boost-micah-lasher](https://www.jta.org/2026/03/13/ny/mike-bloomberg-wades-into-manhattan-congressional-race-giving-5m-to-boost-micah-lasher)

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[Winston Smith London Oceania](https://substack.com/profile/308852488-winston-smith-london-oceania?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272906173 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:14 PM")

Yeah, I remember that. Fortunately for me, I was in midtown east at the time.

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[Judi Howard](https://substack.com/profile/199008704-judi-howard?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880884 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:24 PM")

I heard the owner of the team invited him. He MUST be out of touch with who have supported his team to this point! How dumb can he get. Should be very interesting tonight.

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[Theresa](https://substack.com/profile/415509212-theresa?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272879813 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:23 PM")

Trump, the psychopath he is, gets his sadistic kicks messing with people’s lives. Don’t we know that by now?

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[richard](https://substack.com/profile/55663549-richard?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272879584 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:22 PM")

New York, non-Trump faithful, should remember this day in November. What it means to vote against the world's greatest living stable genius.

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[Howard Crow](https://substack.com/profile/217494739-howard-crow?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272877952 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:19 PM")

Trump et al know exactly what they are doing. He is a man of the people who voted for him and everyone of them hates New Yorkers. It shows how brave Trump is in facing hate on behalf of White Christians.

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[Susan Wladaver-Morgan](https://substack.com/profile/24505042-susan-wladaver-morgan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272877667 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:19 PM")

I think he’s deliberately making New Yorkers’ lives unpleasant and killing the joyous vibe for the Knicks out of pure petty spite. It’s not that he’s indulging himself and doesn’t care. He deliberately wants to hurt the people of a city who have seen through him for decades.

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[Jim Prah](https://substack.com/profile/19504412-jim-prah?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273044476 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:53 PM")

after the booing everyone should sit there quietly until it leaves

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[Kristin Kelley-Munoz](https://substack.com/profile/7964697-kristin-kelley-munoz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272875515 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:14 PM")

Not new. He pulled this for the men's final at the US Open last year - although that, thankfully, is not located on top of Penn Station. Huge lines to get in to Arthur Ashe and little people missing a big chunk of a tennis match that they paid a LOT of money to attend. (And can I just share my utter glee at the look on his face when the brown Spanish speaking guy won?!)

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[janet](https://substack.com/profile/46614347-janet?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872567 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:09 PM")

Absolutely! I'm from the West Coast but lived in New York for several years in the past. I can recall many times having to jump out of a cab, suitcase in hand, and race to Penn Station to catch a train to DC. I was there last fall for a visit - and it was busy as usual.

I would expect that - at these ticket prices - there might be some unhappy campers attending the game who also watched that horrific display on Meet the Press yesterday. Let the booing begin.

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[bjl](https://substack.com/profile/48119763-bjl?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272871987 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:08 PM")

thank you!! I love that you posted this!!

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[Harvey Kravetz](https://substack.com/profile/99889910-harvey-kravetz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273464675 "Jun 9, 2026, 4:07 PM")

Why would Trump go to the Knicks game? Because he can. As we have observed, he is incapable of understanding — or caring about — the consequences of what he says and does. He has told us as much: "I am the President of the United States, and I can do what I want."

Trump don't care.

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[Fred W. Cox](https://substack.com/profile/82410562-fred-w-cox?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273062565 "Jun 8, 2026, 11:53 PM")

Yes! He did it on purpose because he is angry and feels a need to act out his anger on scapegoats. The bigger problem is the question of what will he do if he gets uncontrollably angry. He has control of the nuclear codes.

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[Mason Frichette](https://substack.com/profile/630244-mason-frichette?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273029961 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:11 PM") Edited

I subscribed to Paul Krugman's Substack for economic information, but I am glad that he takes time to comment on the selfishness and depravity of Trump.

I'm almost surprised that they aren't simply closing down all of NYC and disallowing any spectators to attend the Spurs-Knicks game so that Trump could have MSG all to himself. He could shout insults at the players calling them stupid or low IQ. In other words just be the "normal" Trump. No sane person thinks Trump cares about other people. Those that do are probably MAGA cult members and there is nothing Trump could do to shake their belief in him. Part of that group are the religious extremists who believe Trump was sent by "God."

In the end, of course, the outcome of this game and the entire championship series will be determined by "God" himself, who according to countless football quarterbacks and other athletes is always responsible for which team in victorious. I think we can all imagine "God" sitting up there in heaven with his 50 light year wide Hi-Def Billion K television rooting for one team over another. The Old Testament tells us that the "God" who created the entire universe including Earth and humanity decided he had favorites among humanity and he was willing to commit genocide on their behalf. (That same "God" deeded the Middle East to his favorites thousands of years ago and that deed, according to Israel's current leaders is still valid. Therefore, they are entitled to invade Lebanon (who knows where this will stop) and commit ethnic cleansing by forcing the Lebanese to flee or be murdered. They have the right to do that based on the Old Testament, according to officials who have overtly claimed exactly that.

This is not about Judaism or anti-semitism. It is about inhumane and criminal policies that a country has adopted and is carrying out. I am almost finished reading "Israel: What Went Wrong" by Omer Bartov, a Jewish American scholar who describes what is happening and why. He is horrified by the policies of Israel and he makes a point of stressing that the current definitions of antisemitism are dangerously broad and are bad not only for those who are accused of being antisemitic, but for Israel, Israelis, and Jews wherever they live. This is tragic and Trump has been supporting much of what Israel has done. Now, Trump desperately needs to end the war with Iran and Israel keeps attacking Lebanon, making an end to the war impossible. Trump the "strongman" is basically being controlled by Netanyahu, He will decide what the war ends, unless Trump demonstrates uncharacteristic spine and shuts Israel down in order to put "America First."

This comment started off about Trump and the Knicks and has switched to Trump and the war, but everywhere we turn we see Trump having deleterious effects on this country. Whether it is a local issue like a basketball game or international war and peace, Trump is at the center of making America Bad and Weak.

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[Klm808150](https://substack.com/profile/21928182-klm808150?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273021345 "Jun 8, 2026, 9:49 PM")

It is absolutely his contempt for New York City because he knows they know what he is

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[Chickenfarmer](https://substack.com/profile/400531569-chickenfarmer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273018595 "Jun 8, 2026, 9:42 PM")

Excellent observation. Trump doesn't care that he causes inconveniences or more for ordinary people, He lacks empathy; part of the Epstein class. MAGA folks don't care because Trump is Mr White NAtionalist.

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[Chickenfarmer](https://substack.com/profile/400531569-chickenfarmer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[7d](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/278134737 "Jun 17, 2026, 4:43 PM")

Dr K I have read several articles including from congressional investigations that Medicare Advantage which covers approximately 50% of seniors cost the Medicare trust fund about $80 billion/ yr more than CMS administered Medicare. Clearly data which shows there is savings to be had in a single payer govt administered system

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[Freddie Baudat](https://substack.com/profile/336379529-freddie-baudat?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273035045 "Jun 8, 2026, 10:25 PM")

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was exactly his point, to be the cause of inconvenience for so many New Yorkers.

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[Carol Jackson](https://substack.com/profile/315432519-carol-jackson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273009583 "Jun 8, 2026, 9:18 PM")

What will be interesting is to see how long the booing goes on & what his reaction is. After causing so much annoyance & taxpayer expense, I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves early.

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[Catherine Schmidt](https://substack.com/profile/58176966-catherine-schmidt?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273003514 "Jun 8, 2026, 9:01 PM")

Of course he ruined it. He is flipping NYC off for offending him.

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[Ralph Bentley](https://substack.com/profile/1157386-ralph-bentley?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272992986 "Jun 8, 2026, 8:34 PM")

Trump could not stand the thought of something that might divert attention from HIM for a few minutes. Essentially he is photo bombing the event. His ego requires he upstage anything/everything.

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[pete gee](https://substack.com/profile/8243427-pete-gee?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272980285 "Jun 8, 2026, 8:01 PM")

Hopefully the evil jerk will be booed to the rafters

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[Sara Frischer](https://substack.com/profile/25667818-sara-frischer?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272973328 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:44 PM")

Didn’t have time to go to his son’s wedding, but can disrupt thousands of fans excited to watch the Knicks in the Finals. He should have had a watch party on the WH lawn

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[Weswolf](https://substack.com/profile/23186702-weswolf?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272973096 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:44 PM")

He didn't spend half a second thinking about whether his presence would inconvenience others. All that mattered was making a big news story about him.

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[matclone](https://substack.com/profile/223514502-matclone?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272971402 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:40 PM")

If the Knicks lose, will Trump say the game was rigged?

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[Walter](https://substack.com/profile/91492932-walter?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272963011 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:19 PM")

No, I think it is not that he does not care. I think he wants revenge on NYC people, that despise him, and even made him remove his name from the Kennedy Center. Those uppity people of Manhattan will suffer because of the Felon from Queens!!!

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[Lisa Heard](https://substack.com/profile/612489-lisa-heard?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272962572 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:18 PM")

Trump destroys everything he touches! IMPEACH trump and all republicans! Americans HATE YOU!

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[Richard](https://substack.com/profile/129453029-richard?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272953931 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:57 PM")

I agree 100%. He could (should) watch on TV. Note that the tickets to these playoff games are NOT cheap - so not a lot of "average" people affected at the game with regard to the lines and security checks. Most average people will be watching on TV. The big problem, as I see it, is disrupting the flow of people traffic in the area - those average people going about their daily lives - commuters and such.

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[Karel Tripp](https://substack.com/profile/10894632-karel-tripp?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272950971 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:50 PM")

And once again Trump captures the media’s attention, even though it is negative attention. He has to insert himself into the event, just in case he is forgotten for the hours the game is underway. Speaks volumes…….

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[Diane](https://substack.com/profile/152217174-diane?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272934851 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:15 PM")

I SO agree with you. Thank you for expressing that in a way that is not available to those of us in the hinterland who just read the papers and grit our teeth.

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[Terry Shames](https://substack.com/profile/9380690-terry-shames?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272933126 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:11 PM")

Oh, please Paul....let them eat cake!

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[matclone](https://substack.com/profile/223514502-matclone?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272933007 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:11 PM")

My simple theory is this: Trump's actions that hurt people--and there are many--serve as an expression of his power, and he likes it. He's the big man. If people suffer, well, in his small conceptual world that's what big men do.

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[John Jordan](https://substack.com/profile/15670203-john-jordan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272932573 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:10 PM")

I'm old enough to remember when the security that's now taken for granted was rightly ridiculed when Soviet rulers demanded it for themselves.

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[Amy](https://substack.com/profile/36715153-amy?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272929487 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:03 PM")

There's also the $billion deal Trump is making with James Dolan - the owner of MSG/Knicks/Rangers... another layer of contempt for the little people.

Agreed: Mamdani is off to a great start!

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[John Fisher](https://substack.com/profile/29351653-john-fisher?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272928939 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:02 PM")

I do not need any more evidence that the people in charge do not care about me.

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[James Jordan](https://substack.com/profile/23609638-james-jordan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272928367 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:01 PM")

Dr. K,

I hope the Penn Station commuters decided to stay home tonight and you and Robin are getting some sleep with the alarms set for gametime. I love basketball, and these two teams are talented and evenly matched.

A note to the TV crews: I want to watch the game, not the President. Please keep the cameras focused on where they belong. Finally, highest praise for Mayor Mamdani, if I were there, and wanted to experience the roar of the crowd, I would go to the watch party in Bryant Park.

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[Sheila England](https://substack.com/profile/24548733-sheila-england?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272927439 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:59 PM")

We are all ordinary commoners including trump as his minions.

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[Goodman Peter](https://substack.com/profile/22073694-goodman-peter?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272927201 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:58 PM")

Dolan is cozying up to Trump because he has some irons in the fire that requires federal approval…

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[Reggaemama](https://substack.com/profile/410604611-reggaemama?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272927159 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:58 PM")

His middle name has always been "Contempt". What a loser.

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[Frederick E Lepore](https://substack.com/profile/53636139-frederick-e-lepore?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272926569 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:57 PM")

It would be nice if the 18 to 22K Knicks crowd, if so inclined, would voice their displeasure over the non-NYC (P)resident's (Floridian since 2019) attendance on live TV tonight.

Prediction markets estimate 75% chance he will be greeted by boos.

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[Sharon Reilly](https://substack.com/profile/24520958-sharon-reilly?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272926313 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:56 PM")

Of course he wants to make New Yorkers lives miserable. This is deliberate . I only hope that no civilians will be injured. Trump's attending this event is a risk he is willing to take as a slap in the fact to NYC.

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[Francie Prosser-Riessen](https://substack.com/profile/24280491-francie-prosser-riessen?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272922783 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:49 PM")

Not to mention the stabbing that just took place at Penn Station

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[George](https://substack.com/profile/21018104-george?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272920067 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:43 PM")

Uh, yeah, so what? He's a schmuck. Plain and simple.

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[Joseph McPhillips](https://substack.com/profile/17492903-joseph-mcphillips?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272919375 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:41 PM")

Trump "built an entire brand on dominance.” His meltdown & storm out shows a man who has lost the nerve to take a hard question in public. [https://mitchthelawyer.substack.com/p/donald-trump-will-resign-in-2027](https://mitchthelawyer.substack.com/p/donald-trump-will-resign-in-2027)?

Trump & Co project corruption, fraud & other mega criminality everywhere everyday…the coins of the Trump realm are orders of magnitude greater than the Dem "scandals" MSM hyperventilates over.

Bring on the Garden's boo birds. Bring on a Blue Tsunami. 86 47

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[paulc](https://substack.com/profile/107771087-paulc?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272918926 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:41 PM")

Spot on, Dr Krugman, thanks.

A "small" thing, but crystal clear to all.

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[Cherie](https://substack.com/profile/99673685-cherie?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272918510 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:40 PM")

I sincerely hope he hears deafening boos, or a chant of "loooser, loooser, loooser," directed at him by a large percentage of the audience. He needs to understand that most Americans truly hate him. He also conflates fear with respect. No one truly respects a person whom they fear. We know he's an epic failure at everything except lying and grifting. Rick Wilson has it right: "Everything Trump touches dies."

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[spenlo](https://substack.com/profile/188023008-spenlo?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272918174 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:39 PM")

Paul, That is what Trump does best... screw things up and make it difficult for everyday people. I wonder if he will bring his broligarchy along with him.

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[M. Layfield](https://substack.com/profile/19309274-m-layfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272916763 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:36 PM")

Arrogant pieces of shitz 🤬

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[D. J. Fone](https://substack.com/profile/48401871-d-j-fone?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272913821 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:30 PM")

Someone at MSG should craft a Knicks jersey for Trump with the #47 and "Solipsist" as the name. It's always ALL ABOUT HIM, and the hell with anyone else.

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[S. Sarah Pease](https://substack.com/profile/43574988-s-sarah-pease?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272912708 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:28 PM")

Too right!

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272911707 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:26 PM")

I get the impression that most of the MAGA crowd hates New York (that Hell Hole). This may actually boost DonnyJon's popularity a bit.

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[Cherie](https://substack.com/profile/99673685-cherie?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272932660 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:10 PM")

Safe bet that most of them have never been there, and those who have, probably were there decades ago when it was very unsafe. "The Simpsons" had an episode in which Homer, as a young man, got ripped off in New York and he held a permanent grudge against the city as a whole. There were reports of cars with NY plates being shot at in TX as early as 1973. Never underestimate how much southerners hate northerners - usually only because they lost the Civil War.

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[George Patterson](https://substack.com/profile/35450922-george-patterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272962810 "Jun 8, 2026, 7:18 PM")

Right. When I was working in Atlanta back in the mid-70s, one of my fellow workers was planning a visit to Manhattan. He cancelled the idea when I told him that he wouldn't be able to carry his pistol on the streets.

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[John Froelich](https://substack.com/profile/314866098-john-froelich?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272910421 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:23 PM")

Well said.

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[Hiro](https://substack.com/profile/55664305-hiro?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272909356 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:21 PM")

Dr. Krugman, I disagree with your analysis, respetfully. I think it is a life experience for Mr. Trump to see how he would be received by ordinary, not political, citizens, little guys and ladies.

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[Jerthebear](https://substack.com/profile/24650084-jerthebear?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272908836 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:20 PM")

Seeing the Knicks in the playoffs at the Garden must be on his kick-the-bucket list.

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[Amy Davidow](https://substack.com/profile/31290875-amy-davidow?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907633 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:17 PM")

And Trump's attendance at the Knicks game is also screwing up ferry commuters to Staten Island today:

Due to US Coast Guard security restrictions surrounding the Wall Street Heliport, expect potential disruptions and/or a temporary suspension of service between 6:20 PM -7:45 PM today, 6/8. These times are subject to unexpected changes at the discretion of the US Coast Guard. Consider alternate routes and allow for additional travel time.

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[Robert H](https://substack.com/profile/284385834-robert-h?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272907368 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:17 PM")

The bigger question for all New Yorkers is why a private arena, Madison Square Garden, owned by the billionaire Dolan family, sits on top of the busiest railway station in the US and actively hindering it’s redevelopment and expansion?

And yet it’s lease on the area keeps getting extended by the city and state, and the federal government (Trump) took over the planned redevelopment so that the arena can stay in place. More corruption.

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[Beverly Richards-Smith](https://substack.com/profile/3960579-beverly-richards-smith?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272906753 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:15 PM")

Trump was invited to attend by the Knicks' owner, so presumably his ticket is free. Not so his transportation and security, which may cost taxpayers as much as $1.5 million. Aside from that, Trump's presence at the game won't affect many ordinary fans, as original ticket prices started at $6000 and online resales at $10,000. There's been a lot of commentary about NY Mayor Mamdani also attending -- with the implication that he and Trump will be together -- but Mamdani said in an interview that he will be seated "in a very different part of the stadium" from Trump.

Why did Trump choose to accept the invitation? Perhaps, being a New Yorker, he's a Knicks fan and is excited for the opportunity to be present for a game that's part of an historic comeback for them. More likely, it's about \*being seen\* at this very special sports event that will be viewed by many millions of fans across the country and where he will be surrounded by movie, TV, sports, and music stars -- of which he was one during his "The Apprentice" days. (How I wish he'd either never had the show, which gave him the exposure that led to his election in 2016, or that he were still in that role.) Of course, he'll go to the locker room to meet the team and have them fawn over him on nationwide TV -- although I don't know whether his expectations of their adulation will be met unless team members are pre-screened and only those who support him will be present. In any case, Trump's disrupting others' enjoyment of the game to get cameras on him is typical narcissistic behavior.

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[Cherie](https://substack.com/profile/99673685-cherie?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272934450 "Jun 8, 2026, 6:14 PM")

As they said about Teddy Roosevelt, "he has to be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral." Just a narcissist trying to simultaneously lord it over people and expecting to be cheered while he's doing it.

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[elle vj](https://substack.com/profile/38759673-elle-vj?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272906628 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:15 PM")

Right On Paul… thank-you !

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[ButWhatDoIKnow](https://substack.com/profile/16350642-butwhatdoiknow?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272906378 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:15 PM")

Define trump's reign: " It shows a kind of contempt for ordinary people and a kind of self-aggrandizement "

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[CREO by C. C. Yager](https://substack.com/profile/241034743-creo-by-c-c-yager?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272903103 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:08 PM")

So true. He said that anyone who couldn't pay the exorbitant ticket prices should stay home and watch the game on TV. So now he's going to make the evening hell for anyone who's PAID the exorbitant ticket prices just because he's decided to attend the game in person. Well, I think he needs to take his own advice--stay home and watch the game on TV.

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[Greg Movsesyan](https://substack.com/profile/88866551-greg-movsesyan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272902911 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:08 PM")

Contrast this situation with when Obama attended games anywhere and walked around the courts hugging players and hi-fiving fans who were lustily cheering him.

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[Left Jabs](https://substack.com/profile/58302906-left-jabs?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272902860 "Jun 8, 2026, 5:08 PM")

This is a Trump-size FU to New York, an entire city that knew he was a piece of garbage decades before the rest of the country. He knows New Yorkers hate him, so why not make them as miserable as possible? And now that he's done that, it's entirely possible that he won't even show.

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[solvay peterson](https://substack.com/profile/1053005-solvay-peterson?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272895481 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:53 PM")

He enjoys disturbing people.

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[Theodore Shasta](https://substack.com/profile/97080710-theodore-shasta?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272894448 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:51 PM")

CONTEMPT! Thank you for your attention to my need for attention.

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[Leo Wolk](https://substack.com/profile/318189806-leo-wolk?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272892766 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:48 PM")

It's not intentional, really. He's just completely unaware of anyone but [himself.It](http://himself.it/)'s not intentional, really. He's si

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[Frank Gaines Purdy](https://substack.com/profile/15720267-frank-gaines-purdy?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272890741 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:44 PM")

Yeah, wouldn't want to be in Manhattan today. Hope you get over your jet lag. I'm the opposite; I am usually jet lagged after I get to Europe but not too bad coming back.

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[Tyler Van Leeuwen](https://substack.com/profile/8250040-tyler-van-leeuwen?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272889842 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:42 PM")

Sorry for the non-sequitur, buuuut from which artist is that beautiful artwork behind you???

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[Martin Lowy](https://substack.com/profile/13794480-martin-lowy?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272888680 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:40 PM")

You missed that he said people who could not afford a seat could watch it on TV almost free.

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[FfsBoise](https://substack.com/profile/21021478-ffsboise?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272887450 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:37 PM")

I'm sure the (non-Celeb/non-tech-bro/non-CEO) will greet him loudly.

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[Doreen Dimitri Picozzi](https://substack.com/profile/205892992-doreen-dimitri-picozzi?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272886516 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:35 PM")

Yes. Send him home to Florida.

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[CLR](https://substack.com/profile/16364800-clr?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272889482 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:41 PM")

Not Florida. El Salvador. They have a special place there just for him.

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[Marta Layton](https://substack.com/profile/221789078-marta-layton?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884721 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:32 PM")

It's not just that it sucks for all the people excited about the Knicks and this will make it harder: that friction means lost income for those businesses. It's not a small thing.

Beyond that, it does tick me off he thinks he can make this game about him. He's been talking trash about New York for years. He's withheld funding. There's all that nonsense out at Delaney Hall. At a civic pride level, talk about a fair-weather fan.

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[Lynn](https://substack.com/profile/108253337-lynn?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272884080 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:31 PM")

he'll be asleep after 5 mins

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[David Weinkrantz](https://substack.com/profile/3166848-david-weinkrantz?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272882050 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:27 PM")

Trump shows contempt for the public by blocking their access to the game.

Similarly, the Pro-Palestinian protest, the Anti-ICE and immigration enforcement protests — street blockages following deportation actions, Post-inauguration protests (January-February 2025) — unpermitted marches responding to Trump administration actions, also showed similar contempt for the public.

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[LUIS25](https://substack.com/profile/11718199-luis25?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272881889 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:26 PM")

He will stay away; cannot accept rejection in mass waiting for him

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[C A Blanar](https://substack.com/profile/71666528-c-a-blanar?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272880592 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:24 PM")

AMEN!!!! He’ll probably fall asleep 😴 🤣🤣🤣

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[charles hurley](https://substack.com/profile/41905172-charles-hurley?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272879922 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:23 PM")

He could less

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[Jade Tippett](https://substack.com/profile/5328695-jade-tippett?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272877861 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:19 PM")

I would go farther and say this is a deliberate "stick it to New Yorkers" move by the Orange Menace. He knows full well he is hated in the same way that Richard Nixon did, and he is baiting that hate with even greater intensity. It's part of his "win the news cycle" strategy. If he can dominate people's lives, even negatively, that is power, power that invades thoughts and lives and keeps his sorry, narcissistic... in control.

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[Ed Caulfield](https://substack.com/profile/21463504-ed-caulfield?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272877422 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:18 PM")

The measure of man’s power is how many people he can inconvenience.

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[dc](https://substack.com/profile/211923403-dc?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272875733 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:15 PM")

AND on TV they will keep flashing to him in the owner's suite.

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[Mark Wegman](https://substack.com/profile/43587756-mark-wegman?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272874878 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:13 PM")

Remember when Bill Clinton was accused of something similar? We never heard the end of it, it is still famous and of course it wasn't even true. [https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bill-clinton-hairgate/](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bill-clinton-hairgate/). I'll bet Trump's insensitivity gets a lot less coverage than the largely false story about Clinton.

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[Richard Hennick](https://substack.com/profile/141707019-richard-hennick?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272874591 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:13 PM")

" I want this so I’m going to make other people’s lives miserable just to indulge my whim "

Many \*hundreds of thousands\* of other people's lives miserable. As if he cares; their lives are worth nothing to him.

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[Lindy](https://substack.com/profile/173939508-lindy?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272872161 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:08 PM")

Absolutely true! Another example of the oligarchs and regime truly do not care what happens to the underlings.

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[Nicholas J Hopkins](https://substack.com/profile/306501214-nicholas-j-hopkins?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 8](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/272870904 "Jun 8, 2026, 4:06 PM")

My initial.reaction was that, given the

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[Steve S](https://substack.com/profile/838500-steve-s?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 14](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/276235359 "Jun 14, 2026, 1:23 PM")

And then he slept through much of the game!

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[Bat Man](https://substack.com/profile/22358067-bat-man?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 13](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/275547362 "Jun 13, 2026, 8:29 AM")

Too bad for you whining Paul. Trump won. Two moe years of hearing you whine. He's in your head, rent free. 😂😭😝

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[Robin](https://substack.com/profile/2526563-robin?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 11](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/274811618 "Jun 11, 2026, 10:41 PM")

Like Paul’s new computer, better sight and sound

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[Fred Branstetter](https://substack.com/profile/18063230-fred-branstetter?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 10](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/274083601 "Jun 10, 2026, 4:44 PM")

Much like Barbara Bush coming into New York City regularly on Friday for dinner in Manhattan.

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[Mallory Riegger](https://substack.com/profile/16565868-mallory-riegger?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 10](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/274065491 "Jun 10, 2026, 4:09 PM")

And then he fell asleep

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[Mike Andoscia](https://substack.com/profile/22224102-mike-andoscia?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 10](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273865333 "Jun 10, 2026, 10:14 AM")

And he ended up falling asleep!

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[john Kevin griffin](https://substack.com/profile/53282929-john-kevin-griffin?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273637954 "Jun 9, 2026, 10:44 PM")

He jinxed the knicks.

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[Mary Stewart](https://substack.com/profile/64166480-mary-stewart?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273588951 "Jun 9, 2026, 8:34 PM")

Based on the reports on Tuesday, it doesn't sound as if Trump was welcomed in the way he would prefer.

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[Abhishek Singh Chauhan](https://substack.com/profile/506061830-abhishek-singh-chauhan?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273560669 "Jun 9, 2026, 7:25 PM")

Trump, is breaking America piece by piece. The White House feels less like a government and more like his personal stage. Rules don’t matter, truth doesn’t matter, and no one seems able to stop him. It feels unreal that one unstable man can twist a whole system while everyone watches.

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[Beverly BURKE](https://substack.com/profile/112299366-beverly-burke?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273542951 "Jun 9, 2026, 6:43 PM")

thank you for speaking about this. good haircut btw.

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[John D Warnock](https://substack.com/profile/398716559-john-d-warnock?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273521726 "Jun 9, 2026, 5:57 PM")

There was a time when he would have been given a free ride out of town adorned with a coat of tar and feathers. I guess it is not good manners to do that with self-centered jerks anymore.

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[Peter Storandt](https://substack.com/profile/12659952-peter-storandt?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273517115 "Jun 9, 2026, 5:48 PM")

Long Island Rail Road

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[Rich McMahon](https://substack.com/profile/24772608-rich-mcmahon?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273433392 "Jun 9, 2026, 3:07 PM")

Cuz he has nothing but contempt for anybody and everybody. He’s an unloved, child with a huge streak of narcissism and jealousy. He also has awful taste. 🤣

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[Emmet Bondurant](https://substack.com/profile/16373256-emmet-bondurant?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273419491 "Jun 9, 2026, 2:41 PM")

Why are we surprised that Donald Trump is a complete jerk who cares only about himself and no one else?

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[Nancy](https://substack.com/profile/175382036-nancy?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273382611 "Jun 9, 2026, 1:35 PM")

I read that he was loudly booed! I sure hope so!

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[carlos neves ferreira](https://substack.com/profile/1305763-carlos-neves-ferreira?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273380588 "Jun 9, 2026, 1:32 PM")

I have a subscription of the NYT(everyday by mail. I normally read krugman's column there. What's my advantage on paying extra for it?

I admire his opinions, style,and profund knowledge of Economics as a quasi-science. If he is stopping the Time's column then l will think again.

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[Michal](https://substack.com/profile/43336983-michal?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273365484 "Jun 9, 2026, 1:05 PM")

Heaven-shaking Boos 👎 😍

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[Dennis Allshouse](https://substack.com/profile/300974065-dennis-allshouse?utm_source=substack-feed-item)

[Jun 9](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/a-gesture-of-contempt/comment/273330871 "Jun 9, 2026, 12:04 PM")

Plus the Knicks lost!

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