Fact Check

Did Kobe Suggest Trump Is Too Divisive to 'Make America Great Again'?

The political quote was widely circulated after the NBA legend's death in January 2020.

Published Jan. 28, 2020

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 05:  Kobe Bryant attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 5, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Image Via Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Article 1 of 6 in Collection
Claim:
Kobe Bryant once said a president "Whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly 'Make America Great Again.'"

A few days after Kobe Bryant's sudden and tragic death in January 2020, a quote ostensibly uttered by the NBA legend circulated on social media, including via the Facebook page of the liberal site Occupy Democrats.

The full quote reads: "A #potus whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly 'Make America Great Again.'"

This was a genuine quote from Bryant. The basketball star posted this message to his Twitter account in September 2017, an apparent reference to U.S. President Donald Trump whose campaign slogan was "Make America Great Again."

kobetweet

At the time, Trump was calling on NFL team owners to fire any players who protested during the National Anthem. The commander-in-chief had also just disinvited the Golden State Warriors basketball team from visiting the White House after star player Stephen Curry said he was not interested in attending the traditional event:

trump tweet

Trump's comments drew the ire of several NBA stars. Lebron James and Draymond Green, for instance, both responded to Trump:

lebron tweet

draymond tweet

While Bryant did not specifically name Trump in his tweet, he commented amid a controversy involving the current occupant of the White House, and he invoked Trump's campaign slogan. About a month after posting this message, Bryant was asked during a news conference if he would attend an event at Trump's White House. Bryant responded: "I wouldn't go. Simple. No."

Article 1 of 6 in Collection

Sources

Belson, Ken and Julie Davis.   "Trump Attacks Warriors’ Curry. LeBron James’s Retort: ‘U Bum.’"     New York Times.   23 September 2017.

Dan Evon is a former writer for Snopes.