The world was shocked today at the news of the sudden and tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Among those who expressed their condolences was United States President Donald Trump.
Politicalflare reports that the President took to Twitter to express his condolences for the NBA legend. “Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!” tweeted Trump. His tweet came in hours after the news of Bryant’s death and contrary to the President’s tweet, there were more than three people who were also killed in the helicopter crash in Calabasas. Among those people with Bryant was his 13-year old daughter Gianna.
It bears noting that Bryant was by no means a fan of the president and has criticized him on Twitter on various occasions. Many other people on social media criticized Trump as well for it. Some netizens told Trump to keep quiet, while others pointed out his inaccurate information on the number of people killed in the helicopter crash.
On the other hand, Representative Adam Schiff tweeted his condolences to Bryant. “I join the rest of Los Angeles in mourning the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and others. One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe had a grace and athleticism unmatched in the NBA. My prayers are with his family and friends, and all Lakers fans,” tweeted Schiff.
Schiff, coincidentally, is currently serving as Lead House Impeachment Manager of the Senate Impeachment trial that is going on at the moment. As the Democrats have laid out their arguments as to why Trump should be impeached last week, this week leaves the floor for Trump’s defense. CNN reports that Schiff made an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and when asked about his thoughts on Trump’s tweet about Schiff “not paying the price, yet, for what he has done to this Country,” which is one of the many insults Trump has thrown online towards people whom he feels has wronged him.
Schiff responded that he did think that the tweet was meant to intimidate or threaten him and even went on to call Trump “wrathful and vindictive.” Along with Schiff, the other Democrats have also accused Trump and his defense for “witness intimidation” during the House impeachment hearings.