The Yang Gang are hanging up their signs as it was announced this evening that Andrew Yang has dropped out of the presidential race. The businessman has run a steady campaign for the 2020 Democratic bid, even amassing support from celebrities including Whoopi Goldberg, Donald Glover, Alexis Ohanian, and Dave Chappelle. Yang became known as the guy who wanted to give Americans $1,000 per month, but it doesn't look like that presidential plan will unfold anytime soon.
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According to The Washington Post, Yang decided to pull back following the New Hampshire primary. “I am a numbers guy,” Yang said. “In most of these [upcoming] states, I’m not going to be at a threshold where I get delegates, which makes sticking around not necessarily helpful or productive in terms of furthering the goals of this campaign.” He added that he's open to becoming another candidate's running mate in the future.
“If I become persuaded that there's a particular candidate that gives us a superior chance of beating Donald Trump, and I think it's important to make that opinion known, then I would consider it for sure,” Yang added. Meanwhile, his supporters have been sharing messages throughout multiple social media platforms. Some people have thanked Yang for giving it his best try, while others are pretty much imploding. Check out a few reactions below.
ABC News Suspends Matt Gutman For Erroneous Kobe Bryant Daughters Death Report
When TMZ broke the news that Kobe Bryant had perished in a helicopter crash, news outlets scrambled to obtain more information. First, the unbelievable news prompted publications to confirm that Bryant was, indeed, deceased. After that, social media lit up with misinformation that was being reported on from your neighbor next door to major news media outlets. We would all later learn that Bryant passed away, but information about the others involved would take a bit more time to confirm.
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In those few hours before the world would learn about all of the others that lost their lives in the accident, including Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, television reporters were sharing unsubstantiated information that they'd picked up from social media. ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman shared on-air that Bryant died alongside all four of his daughters, a report that sent shocked the wrold. Of course, we now know that isn't true, and because of his mistake, Gutman has been suspended by ABC News.
"Reporting the facts accurately is the cornerstone of our journalism," an ABC News spokesperson reportedly said in a statement to CNN. "As he acknowledged on Sunday, Matt Gutman's initial reporting was not accurate and failed to meet our editorial standards." On Wednesday (January 29), Gutman issued a public apology. "We are in the business of holding people accountable. And I hold myself accountable for a terrible mistake, which I deeply regret," Gutman said. "I want to personally apologize to the Bryant family for this wrenching loss and any additional anguish my report caused."
The award-winning reporter has been apart of the ABC News family since 2008 and has been responsible for covering some of the nation's most controversial and harrowing incidents. Gutman isn't the only reporter who found themselves disciplined for comments involving Kobe Bryant since the basketball icon's death; The Washington Post reporter Felicia Sonmez was suspended after she tweeted about Kobe Bryant's rape case scandal in the wake of his death.
Kobe Bryant Memorabilia Selling For Up To 20x Price Before Death, Scammers Cash In
If you're looking to buy, keep your wits about you.
This may be a time for mourning for the millions of people who admired Kobe Bryant, but dealers and scam artists see the Los Angeles Lakers' death as an opportunity to cash in. Shaquille O'Neal's son Shareef O'Neal even sent out a tweet asking for L.A. to shut down for a day in order to have a parade dedicated to the NBA legend make its way through the city just to show just how important the basketball star's legacy was to the world. While we wait to see if that will actually happen in the future, there are a select few who are scheming to make big bucks off of Bryant's tragic death.
Unsurprisingly, people are looking to collect Bryant memorabilia, but if you're hoping to hold on to a piece of Kobe Bryant's history, be prepared to dish out some serious cash to reputable dealers. According to a report by TMZ, diehard fans are more than willing to pay anywhere between 2x to 20x the prices listed prior to the basketball star's death.
"For example, a game-worn and signed Kobe jersey from the 2004-2005 season was expected to hit $6,000 before his death," TMZ wrote in their report. "But pre-bidders have already bumped the price to a starting $6,500 and the auction still runs for another month!" The outlet added that there is a high-end dealer who had an "extremely rare" basketball card of Bryant's, and while it was initially expected to sell for approximately $2,500, it went for almost $50K.
Aside from the dramatic increase in the prices for memorabilia, there are scammers who are pushing out forgeries and fakes. Online auctions are especially vulnerable to these types of scams that allegedly sell items that feature fake autographs and signatures. The Washington Post advised shoppers to avoid unfamiliar shopping sites and to not feel pressured into making purchases too quickly. If people are trying to rush you into a transaction, it's likely a scam. The publication also states to use credit, not debit, and to always check an online site's security settings.
Watch a few reports below.
Kyla Pratt Blasts Evan Rachel Wood For Callous Kobe Bryant Tweets About Scandal
"How f*cking dare you?"
The untimely, shocking death of Kobe Bryant has caused millions to share their grief on various social media platforms. However, not everyone who has come forward to speak about the Los Angeles Laker's tragic death wants to honor Bryant's memory. Following the news of his death, Felicia Sonmez, a reporter for The Washington Post, shared an article detailing the 2003 rape case where a woman accused the basketball star of sexual assault. Bryant admitted to having sex with the woman but adamantly denied he assaulted her. The case never went to trial because the woman refused to testify against him.
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Sonnez was later suspended for her insensitive tweets about the late basketball star, but she isn't the only one who has brought up Bryant's scandal. American Gothic and True Blood actress Evan Rachel Wood also shared a tweet that ignited a backlash from thousands. "What has happened is tragic. I am heartbroken for Kobe’s family," the actress wrote. "He was a sports hero. He was also a rapist. And all of these truths can exist simultaneously."
She would later follow her initial message up with: "Beloveds, this was not a condemnation or a celebration. It was a reminder that everyone will have different feelings and there is room for us all to grieve together instead of fighting. Everyone has lost. Everyone will be triggered, so please show kindness and respect to all."
People were quick to point out that Wood has stood by Woody Allen, an acclaimed filmmaker who has been accused of sexually abusing his children, and actress Kyla Pratt even called her out. "Evan. We met as kids & I grew up in the same industry has you and have admired your work from afar these past few years," Pratt wrote. "On camera and off. But this tweet? How f*cking dare you?" Check out a few scathing responses below.
