Trump Recalls Breaking Up Kobe Bryant Fight in 1998

Former president says he intervened when Bryant was having 'a hard time with somebody' at a New York hotel.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:39pm

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In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump confirmed that he once broke up a fight involving NBA legend Kobe Bryant during NBA All-Star weekend in 1998. Trump said he stepped in to de-escalate the situation, which he described as 'probably not a smart thing to do' historically. The incident allegedly took place in an elevator at the Grand Hyatt hotel in New York, which Trump owned at the time.

Why it matters

The story provides a rare glimpse into a previously unknown interaction between Trump and Bryant, two high-profile figures from the worlds of politics and sports. It also highlights Trump's willingness to intervene in potentially dangerous situations, even if it may not have been the wisest course of action.

The details

According to the book 'Three-Ring Circus' by Jeff Pearlman, the incident involved then-Nets player Jayson Williams and Knicks player Charles Oakley getting into an elevator altercation. Williams was reportedly upset that the young Bryant, then in his second NBA season, did not greet him with enough respect. Trump said he grabbed Williams and told Bryant to 'Get out of here. Quickly.' Oakley later said he did not recall being in the elevator that day, but confirmed that Williams had told the story multiple times over the years.

  • The incident occurred during NBA All-Star weekend in 1998.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who owned the Grand Hyatt hotel in New York City at the time of the incident.

Kobe Bryant

The late NBA legend, who was in his second season in the league when the incident occurred.

Jayson Williams

A former NBA player who was with the New Jersey Nets at the time and was allegedly involved in the elevator altercation with Bryant.

Charles Oakley

A former NBA player who was with the New York Knicks and was also reportedly present during the elevator incident.

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What they’re saying

“That was a long time ago. Yeah, well I was breaking up a fight, which sometimes is more dangerous than being in a fight. But I like Kobe. Kobe was having a hard time with somebody and it worked out fine. But yeah, I broke it up — probably not a smart thing to do. Historically, it's never good to break up fights.”

— Donald Trump (YouTube)

“He had told it to some people that I was around. Jayson, he liked to be a story. He's a storyteller. I told him, 'Jayson, I mean, you 55, 57. You probably told that story 50 times.'”

— Charles Oakley, Former NBA player (Yahoo Sports)

The takeaway

This story provides a rare glimpse into a previously unknown interaction between two high-profile figures, former President Donald Trump and NBA legend Kobe Bryant. It highlights Trump's willingness to intervene in potentially dangerous situations, even if it may not have been the wisest course of action. The incident also sheds light on the dynamics between veteran and younger NBA players at the time.