Kai Trump was spotted courtside at Madison Square Garden on Monday, June 8, as she attended Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals alongside her grandfather, President Donald Trump. While the appearance drew plenty of attention on its own, much of the online backlash centered on remarks made by YouTuber Sneako about the 19-year-old.
Trump and Kai were guests of Knicks owner James Dolan for the game, with the president watching from Dolan’s suite. Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, and his arrival prompted heightened security around Madison Square Garden, including changes to fan entry procedures. He was also booed loudly by sections of the crowd when shown on the arena video screens during the national anthem.
The game itself was a major occasion for New York, with the Knicks hosting an NBA Finals matchup at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1999. But the night ended in disappointment for the home crowd as the San Antonio Spurs beat New York to cut the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1.
Sneako, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, also weighed in while broadcasting on KICK. He named the stream:
“TRUTH ABOUT KNICKS GAME AND TRUMP NYC.”
The 27-year-old internet personality first built an audience on YouTube through street-interview and commentary videos before becoming known for increasingly provocative online takes and livestreams. He is now frequently associated with the online ‘manosphere’ and has repeatedly drawn criticism over controversial comments and platform bans.
During the stream, he focused on Kai Trump and asked viewers:
“How old is Kai Trump again? How old is she? Can someone say it quickly before I continue talking?”
He then searched for her age himself and saw that she is 19. Kai, who was born on May 12, 2007, is the eldest granddaughter of Donald Trump and has also built a public profile of her own through golf and social media.
After pulling up a TikTok clip of Kai lip syncing to Santana’s ‘Maria Maria’, he said:
“You in the city? What’s going on? What’s good?”
He then added:
“I feel like Donald right now, perhaps I’d be dating her if she weren’t my daughter.”
The remarks prompted immediate criticism from people watching the stream, with several commenters warning him against continuing. Others on social media also condemned the comments as inappropriate given Kai Trump’s age and the fact she was attending a high-profile public event with family.
One person wrote on X:
“Wtf is wrong with Sneako.”
Another said:
“Sneako is 27 but still weird.”
Kai Trump has become increasingly visible in the public eye over the past two years. A golfer and social media personality, she committed to the University of Miami and has been part of the school’s women’s golf signing class, while also building a large online following and NIL profile.
Separately, Kai Trump recently opened up about the challenges of dating while living under constant Secret Service protection as the president’s granddaughter.
Speaking to Logan Paul and Mike Majlak on the Impaulsive podcast, she explained that agents are with her at all times.
“To be honest with you, it’s really awkward going on a date and they’re like two tables behind you,” she told the hosts.
She also described how she tries to adjust to the situation.
“I’ve had to learn, in the last year, ‘yes they’re following me’ but also focus and pretend like they’re not there.”