Kobe Bryant: Trump’s words inspire ‘dissension and hatred’

Former Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant joined a host of other professional athletes blasting President Trump on Saturday, saying Trump’s words “inspire dissension and hatred.”

“A #POTUS who’s [sic] name alone creates division and anger. Who’s [sic] words inspire dissension and hatred can’t possibly ‘Make America Great Again’,” Bryant tweeted. 

A #POTUS who’s name alone creates division and anger. Who’s words inspire dissension and hatred can’t possibly “Make America Great Again”

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) September 23, 2017

{mosads}Scores of athletes have taken to Twitter to rip Trump over his attacks on NFL players and NBA player Stephen Curry over the past day.

Earlier Saturday, Trump said Curry’s invitation to the White House was “withdrawn” because the NBA point guard was “hesitating” on visiting for the Golden State Warriors’ championship celebration.

“Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” Trump tweeted. “Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!” 

Curry had said this week he didn’t want the Warriors to visit the White House because of Trump.

After Trump’s tweet, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James slammed Trump, calling him a “bum” and saying visiting the White House “was a great honor until you showed up!”

Trump also attacked NFL players at a rally for Alabama Senate candidate Luther Strange (R) on  Friday. He called on NFL owners to fire players for taking a knee rather than standing during the national anthem.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b—- off the field right now,'” Trump said, adding, “‘He is fired.'” 

Those comments brought strong rebukes against Trump from multiple NFL officials, the head of the NFL players’ union and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who called Trump’s comments “divisive” and said they showed a “lack of respect for the NFL.”