President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump both responded to former NBA star Kobe Bryant’s tragic death on Sunday, which happened when a helicopter carrying Bryant crashed in California.
Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Maria Onore, were among the approximately five people that were killed when the helicopter crashed in Calabasas.
President Trump wrote on Twitter: “Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!”
Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
Melania Trump wrote: “Thoughts and prayers to the family of #Kobe Bryant and those who lost loved ones in today’s tragic crash. Rest In Peace.”
Thoughts and prayers to the family of #Kobe Bryant and those who lost loved ones in today’s tragic crash. Rest In Peace.
— Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) January 26, 2020
Bryant’s former teammate Shaquille O’Neal responded by posting pictures of the two on Twitter, writing: “There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW”
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Kanye West wrote: “Kobe, We love you brother. We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1221558611320528896
Former NBA star Magic Johnson wrote: “My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players.”
My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. pic.twitter.com/NXsrXmCkkG
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Johnson continued: “Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much.”
Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much. pic.twitter.com/PIv7obzr2x
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Johnson added: “Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family.”
Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. pic.twitter.com/WWxmtEAJqZ
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Former President Barack Obama wrote: “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.”
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
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) wrote: “Grieving the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant and his young daughter. A true basketball legend who changed the game forever. Heidi & I are praying for God’s Peace and Grace for his family. RIP”
Grieving the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant and his young daughter. A true basketball legend who changed the game forever. Heidi & I are praying for God’s Peace and Grace for his family. RIP
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 26, 2020
Actress Halle Berry responded: “There are no real words to convey the depth of my sadness. Love and strength to Kobe’s entire family and to the families of all who were lost in today’s crash.”
There are no real words to convey the depth of my sadness. Love and strength to Kobe’s entire family and to the families of all who were lost in today’s crash. pic.twitter.com/HvL2m9NXJU
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) January 26, 2020
Ivanka Trump wrote: “Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant. Praying for a legend and the other passengers whose lives were lost and their families.”
Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant.
Praying for a legend and the other passengers whose lives were lost and their families.— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) January 26, 2020
Football fans that attended the Pro Bowl chanted “Kobe” whe he was honored during a timeout.
Fans at the Pro Bowl broke out in "Kobe" chants when he was honored during a timeout. pic.twitter.com/VAQHYzQ28m
— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2020
Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic wrote: “this can’t be trueee!!🙏🙏🙏”
this can’t be trueee!!🙏🙏🙏
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) January 26, 2020
Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young wrote: All the Lessons. All the Advice. Every word you ever told me… Will stick with me forever. Thank You Kobe🙏🏽❤️”
All the Lessons
All the Advice
Every word you ever told me…
Will stick with me foreverThank You Kobe🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/WPCdHg3iyt
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020
Former San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili wrote: “Devastated.”
Devastated.
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) January 26, 2020
Dwayne Wade wrote: “Nooooooooooo God please No!”
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
In a report on his death, ESPN highlighted Bryant’s NBA career:
A 6-foot, 6-inch small forward with the ability to swing up front and play point or shooting guard, Bryant entered the NBA straight out of high school. In 1996, he became the youngest player in NBA history.
He won five NBA titles in his time with the Lakers, as well as two Olympic gold medals playing for the United States. Now fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, with 33,643 points, Bryant won two NBA Finals MVP awards and one NBA regular-season MVP nod in 2008.
A native of Philadelphia, Bryant was selected No. 13 overall in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets before being traded to the Lakers. He wore both No. 8 and 24 with the Lakers, both of which were retired by the franchise.
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