Trump accused of copying tribute to Kobe Bryant: 'Remarkably similar to Obama's'
After the sudden death of Kobe Bryant and eight others, tributes poured in from across social media. But some noticed that President Trump's words about the NBA legend looked "remarkably similar" to his predecessor's.
Following the news, former President Barack Obama took to Twitter to send "love and prayers" to the Bryant family.
"Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents," Obama wrote. "Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day."
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
Two hours later, after an earlier post calling the crash "terrible news," Trump wrote a lengthier tribute that many people claimed was plagiarized from Obama.
"Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future," Trump's tribute reads. "The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating ... Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family. May God be with you all!"
Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
"Trump’s Instagram post on Kobe Bryant is worded in an extremely similar way to Obama’s earlier tweet," Business Insider senior politics reporter, John Haltiwanger, pointed out.
Trump’s Instagram post on Kobe Bryant is worded in an extremely similar way to Obama’s earlier tweet: pic.twitter.com/5lRFQjt3M4
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) January 27, 2020
Another commenter said it was "remarkably similar." Both Trump and Obama used similar structures and phrases, including saying that Bryant was "just getting started."
Trump’s tweet about Kobe is remarkably similar to Obama’s pic.twitter.com/o19rmexieH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 27, 2020
Others were quick to remind Trump that Bryant had been a critic of the president. In 2017, he tweeted: "A #POTUS whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly 'Make America Great Again'"
A #POTUS whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly "Make America Great Again"
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) September 23, 2017
