Campaign Denied Candidate’s $6 Million Claim
Momentarily Donald Trump will hold a press conference to explain how much money he raised for veterans and how much which groups received. Trump in January skipped a Fox News GOP debate and held an impromptu fundraiser for veterans, declaring at its end he had raised $6 million that evening. But payments were slow in being disbursed, and only about half the claimed funds could be accounted for.
Trump last week again reported his claim he raised $6 million for the veterans’ groups, despite his own campaign denying that amount, pegging it at around $4.5 million.
RELATED: Did Trump Just Lie About Raising $6 Million for Vets – Because His Campaign Says It’s Less
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UPDATE: 11:29 AM EDT –
Trump said “the press should be ashamed of itself,” and chastised them for “making me look very bad.” He says he raised a total of $5.6 million, with more on the way. He claims most of it was distributed early on, contrary to other accounts.
“I think the media is frankly made up of people in many cases that are not good people.”
He says he gave $1 million personally.
Trump said it was no one’s business who got his money. He also said many of the groups don’t like talking to the press and therefore didn’t confirm the donation they received. He also claimed all the groups had to be vetted, which took a long time to do.
NBC’s Jim Acosta confronted Trump, saying he disputed the GOP candidate’s comments about the press. He lambasted the NBC reporter, saying “you’re a real beauty.”Â
Minutes later he said, “I think the political press is among the most dishonest.”
Later, NBC News’ Hallie Jackson asked if perhaps Trump needed a thicker skin to run for office:
He then claimed he was “joking” and being “sarcastic” on Sunday when only 5000 people showed up for his speech at the Washington Memorial. He had said he was disappointed and thought he’s have 250,000, just like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He also said 600,000 had tried to attend but were blocked.
Trump also suggested the federal government allows or denies donations to certain groups.
UPDATE II: 12:20 PM EDT –
Trump claimed most of the donations were sent out quickly after his January fundraiser. This letter is dated a week ago:
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