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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs -- whose number was 45 -- tragically passed away at the age of 27. But the hashtag mourning him took an inevitable tangent.
The baseball world was in mourning on Tuesday morning -- but to some #RIP45 meant something completely different.
27-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on Monday, prompting the hashtag with his jersey number to trend on Twitter as people paid their respects.
But the conversation quickly took a morbid turn when some users joked about how they thought the hashtag meant the 45th president had died instead.
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View StorySkaggs was found dead in his Texas hotel room around 2pm on Monday, just hours before his team were set to play the Texas Rangers.
The cause of death is yet to be revealed, although it has been narrowed down to an accident or natural causes. Police said they do not suspect foul play, and a spokesperson told the LA Times that suicide was not suspected, either.
While the majority of #RIP45 tweets were ones of condolences, several used it to express joy and then disappointment Donald Trump was not the subject.
When you get your hopes up seeing #RIP45 trending. pic.twitter.com/Rzr57GoJql
@DerrickLemos
i just seen #RIP45 trending and thought Donald Trump croaked and now i'm disappointed that it was somebody else who actually died.
@denishalashae_
I saw that #RIP45 was trending and was disappointed to find out that Donald trump is still alive and well.
@GoddessCisca
I saw #RIP45 trending and for a moment thought God finally answered our prayers and got rid of trump 😢😔
@Mystykali
Me waking up and seeing “#RIP45” trending and thinking it's about Trump pic.twitter.com/psbKSW7Oiz
@XavierLighten
The FBI looking at this hashtag.
@coolcam101
#RIP45 pic.twitter.com/3cGG5Hwxe9
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View Story"When you get your hopes up seeing #45 trending," one user joked. "I thought #RIP45 meant a miracle occurred," tweeted another. "I saw #RIP45 trending and for a moment thought God finally answered our prayers and got rid of trump," lamented a third.
Both supporters and non-supporters of the President rounded on the few making gags at the young pitcher's expense.
"#RIP45 is supposed to be used to mourn the loss of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Instead people are using as a joke that @realDonaldTrump has died. Has this country lost all its morals?" one scolded.
"#RIP45 is about the pitcher for the Angels who died, not about Trump. Let's not make a mockery of someone's death by inserting politics into it. There is a time and place for politics, honor the man who tragically died so young," added another.
"If you didn't know what this hashtag was prior to clicking on it and were hoping it was related to Trump, please keep that to yourself," chided a third. "People want to pay their respects to Tyler Skaggs, no one wants your politics here."
PSA: #RIP45 is not about President Trump or wishing anything upon him. It is for the 27 year old Angels pitcher, Tyler Skaggs, who passed away.
@TheVandarius
Please show some respect, y'all pic.twitter.com/l434dzmO0Q
#RIP45 is supposed to be used to mourn the loss of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Instead people are using as a joke that @realDonaldTrump has died. Has this country lost all its morals?
@BrennanEtler
I see #RIP45 trending&look into it. The Angels lost a great pitcher at the young age of 27... instead of paying respect-ppl thought Trump died&made jokes. Don't matter if u like him, he's a human w a family! Social media shows ppls true colors & lack of respect for #TylerSkaggs pic.twitter.com/64QAmp7gDU
@SteffyG30
you know it's pretty fucking stupid that #RIP45 is supposed to a place where people can pay respects and mourn the loss of Tyler Skaggs. BUT NOOOOOO WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS. i go on there and see a lot of people tweet about wanting Trump dead and shit.
@Go__Pete__Go
Heads up folks #RIP45 is about the pitcher for the Angels who died, not about Trump. Let's not make a mockery of someone's death by inserting politics into it. There is a time and place for politics, honor the man who tragically died so young
@PerryJuDo4ever
I encourage everyone to click on #RIP45 and read the tweets from the sickos in this country. I don't care what your politics are. If you cheer on the thought of the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES dying, you can't get the hell out.
@Zachfaust
If you didn't know what this hashtag was prior to clicking on it and were hoping it was related to Trump, please keep that to yourself. People want to pay their respects to Tyler Skaggs, no one wants your politics here #RIP45
@raisethewaves
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