#LochteGate is a top trending topic online right now. What is it? It is a name given for the scandal that is the made up story of the swimmers being robbed at gunpoint in Rio when they were actually involved in a fight at a gas station.
Many social media users are asking if Lochte just wanted to be trending ahead of Michael Phelps and his 23 gold medals. If that's the case, he certainly went about it the wrong way.
Lochte took to twitter on August 14 to thank his friends, family and fans for their support after the "robbery."
https://t.co/LgkoJe4qkm pic.twitter.com/Ed3V6vWhuf
— Ryan Lochte (@RyanLochte) August 14, 2016
After he returned to the U.S., he didn't address the situation as reports said the robbery claim was false. However, he did take the time to address the color of his hair on twitter.
My hair is going back to its normal color tomorrow ?
— Ryan Lochte (@RyanLochte) August 16, 2016
RELATED | 2 US swimmers leave Rio but robbery scandal continues
On Thursday, Brazilian police announced that the robbery story was made up. So the internet decided to take the time to escape from the serious to poke a little fun at the story and that is exactly how #LochteGate was born.
Check out some of the funniest reactions to the most talked about story:
NY tabloids spare no one #lochtegate pic.twitter.com/vfc3sGzkye
— Joshua Hoyos (@JoshuaHoyos) August 19, 2016
Will the real Swim Shady please stand up? #LochteGate pic.twitter.com/AgWF5carRQ
— Joe Miragliotta (@JoesDaily) August 18, 2016
Ryan and his PR team trying to clean up this mess. #lochtegate pic.twitter.com/Tn7eqWKKJW
— Ashley Wood (@awood511) August 18, 2016
Disappointed we chose #LochteGate instead of #LochMess. We had a chance to do something really great there, & we blew it.
— K.Dot (@kjbas) August 18, 2016
The sad part is that Michael Phelps would have trashed that gas station bathroom twice as fast. #LochteGate
— Matt Nedostup (@nedostup) August 18, 2016
when you leave the dog park don't forget to #LochteGate
— Bez (@Bez) August 18, 2016
Synchronized swimmers would keep their story straight.
— Steve Rushin (@SteveRushin) August 18, 2016
