Dwyane Wade Addresses Trump's Controversial Tweet

He says it appears Trump used his cousin's murder for 'political gain'
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 2, 2016 1:32 PM CDT
Wade: Trump Used Cousin's Murder for 'Political Gain'
NBA player Dwyane Wade spoke out about Donald Trump's controversial tweet about his cousin's murder.   (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

NBA player Dwyane Wade spoke out about Donald Trump's controversial tweet about his cousin's murder for the first time Thursday. "I was grateful that it started a conversation, but on the other hand, it just left a bad taste in my mouth because of what my family is dealing with and what our city of Chicago is dealing with and it looks like it’s being used as political gain," Wade tells Good Morning America. The Chicago Tribune reports Wade says it was "shocking to hear" how his cousin Nykea Aldridge died, as she was "the quiet one" who was all about her children.

Aldridge, a mother of four, was pushing her baby in stroller Aug. 26 in Chicago when she was shot and killed, USA Today reports. Aldridge was in the neighborhood to register her kids for school and was not the intended target of the shooting. The day after her death, Trump tweeted: "Dwyane Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!" That tweet led to a backlash against Trump, who was accused of using a tragedy to congratulate himself. Two brothers were arrested and charged in connection with Aldridge's murder. (More Dwyane Wade stories.)

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