To no one’s surprise, it turns out that so-called “President” Donald Trump doesn’t even know the protocol for how to act when the national anthem is played at a sporting event.
Dementia Don was in New York last night for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, ostensibly to support his home team, the New York Knicks, as they faced off against the San Antonio Spurs, and it didn’t take long before he managed to humiliate himself and the country by not knowing how to act when “The Star Spangled Banner” was played.
Trump stood, as you’re supposed to, but failed to place his hand over his heart for the anthem, which is standard protocol. Instead, he saluted.
According to A federal statute, 36 U.S. Code § 301, during a rendition of the national anthem when the U.S. flag is displayed, “individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note.”
“Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform,” the code states. “All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.”
Note that there is no exception to the code for a president or any other dignitary who might be in attendance.
It should also be noted that Donnie was loudly booed when his image was shown on screens around Madison Square Garden.
Social media users couldn’t resist roasting the Orange Menace.
The President is not supposed to salute during the national anthem according to official U.S. protocol…. BUT….
— Charli Huxley (@ImKnotTheOne) June 9, 2026
This grifting, fake patriotic asshole is all smoke and mirrors.
You can see him smiling through the disapproval and pain of the boos!!!😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/leMvbJSL56
Look at Trump, the draft dodger, giving a inappropriate salute during the national anthem. https://t.co/Z85ikhJ8pR
— K. Douglas Mooney (@DirectNewsComm) June 9, 2026
While Trump was getting booed at the Knicks game during the national anthem, he stood there saluting instead of putting his hand over his heart because he doesn’t have one. pic.twitter.com/WivUyaiCh8
— Outspoken™️ (@Out5p0ken) June 9, 2026
No one can explain why Donald Trump salutes during the national anthem instead of placing his hand over his heart. Saluting is for military in uniform and optional for veterans and off-duty military. Trump is neither military nor a veteran. Trump used 4 student deferments and… https://t.co/v2JfS73ARS pic.twitter.com/dE94q2ip2c
— Laurence (Larry) Boorstein (@LarryBoorstein) June 9, 2026
Watch how Trump only salutes after he realizes he’s on the Jumbotron and a whole verse of the National Anthem has gone by. He’s totally pathetic! pic.twitter.com/W6ttMPcqno
— Suzie rizzio (@Suzierizzo1) June 9, 2026
It's gross that a man who actively avoided military service, and who has insulted those who serve as "suckers", whose children have never served, + who is now putting others in harm's way for his illegal, stupid war, thinks he can use the salute + not put his hand over his heart https://t.co/hm9Wj7zUrJ
— Jasot Turbot (@JasotTurbot) June 9, 2026
Stupid ass saluting during the national anthem. Surprised his bone spurs allowed him to raise his shoulder for that long. Goofy literally caused all that chaos just to do that on camera. Performative POS. pic.twitter.com/dY602mWfWM
— Hrlm115 (@hrlm116) June 9, 2026
Best of all, the Knicks lost, making Donnie a national jinx. Clearly, he can’t do anything right.