Doc Rivers, a frequent visitor to Madison Square Garden during his NBA career, expressed disappointment over a recent Donald Trump rally held there, which featured divisive comments. While speaking to reporters before his Milwaukee Bucks’ game against the Boston Celtics, Rivers was asked about his campaign work for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Clarifying that his efforts focus on encouraging voter turnout, Rivers used the opportunity to comment on the rally’s tone.
“I’m not going to do a ‘Pop’ here today,” Rivers said, referencing Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s recent strong statements against Trump. Still, Rivers expressed his own discomfort with the event. “If you saw Madison Square Garden, I mean, come on. That was atrocious,” he said, criticizing the atmosphere as hostile to various minority groups.
Trump’s rally became controversial after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made derogatory comments about Puerto Ricans, Black people, and Latinos.
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The remarks sparked backlash and prompted sports betting company DraftKings to reevaluate its partnership with Hinchcliffe.
Despite the negativity surrounding the event, Rivers remains focused on his support for Harris and the upcoming election.
He recently joined Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, in a lighthearted campaign ad where they strategize on encouraging voter turnout.
Rivers will return to Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8 for the Bucks’ game against the Knicks, just days after Election Day.
