As Twitchy reported, Donald Trump on Monday night had had enough of questions about the $6 million he claimed his January campaign rally/fundraiser had raised for veterans’ charities, noting several times that he wasn’t obligated to donate anything but did anyway.
It was clear, though, that the critics weren’t satisfied with his claim that “much” of the $5 to $6 million raised had already been distributed. The Washington Post’s David Fahrenthold, assigned to the 2016 campaign, began a Twitter campaign to fill in the gaps in Trump’s claim, earning himself the distinction of being “really a nasty guy.”
Results: After @Fahrenthold's tweet storm of facts & questions, Trump ponied up to vets–and called DF "a nasty guy" https://t.co/yOnRQMLYBb
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) May 24, 2016
Exceptionally dogged reporting here by @Fahrenthold basically gets @realDonaldTrump to write a $1 million check. https://t.co/mQiujed7XL
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) May 24, 2016
.@realdonaldtrump made good on a promise to give $1M to vets — last night. https://t.co/MOz7Bxjzj6
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 24, 2016
Thx all who RTd my pleas for vets who got @realdonaldtrump's $ yest'day. We couldn't find 'em b/c they didn't exist. https://t.co/MOz7Bxjzj6
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 24, 2016
Let’s have a look at just a few of those pleas.
I'm still looking for this $1M that @realdonaldtrump says he gave vets out of his own pocket. If you got any, DM me. https://t.co/v5CgOJJOQq
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 24, 2016
After @realDonaldTrump msgs on Twitter and Insta., I've asked again: how much $ was raised, in all? And who got Trump's $1M?
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 24, 2016
Still looking here. Vets groups, if you got even $1 in personal donations from @realDonaldTrump please let me know. https://t.co/eL01y8zgYf
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 24, 2016
UPDATE; Just spoke a vets charity in Boston, who'd received a call from Trump campaign 2 day, asking for their charity #. Anybody else?
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 24, 2016
That’s a bit more advocacy than most are used to from impartial yet dogged reporting, but it did get results, Farenthold writes:
Trump said in an interview Tuesday that he pledged the $1 million to the Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation. The mogul notified the group’s chairman, retired FBI official James Kallstrom, in a phone call sometime Monday night, according to Kallstrom’s wife, Sue Kallstrom.
Trump’s call to the group came after The Washington Post and other media outlets had questioned whether Trump had actually fulfilled a vow he made in January at an Iowa fundraiser.
…
When asked if the Monday donation was in response to questions from the news media, Trump said: “You know, you’re a nasty guy. You’re really a nasty guy. I gave out millions of dollars that I had no obligation to do.”
In contrast, Trump in his tweets Monday had declared his personal $1 million donation “Nice!”
Trump never gave $1mil to vet charities, as he had promised. Only gave $1mil after constant digging by WaPo & others pic.twitter.com/lPnIDWUVf6
— Tim Mak (@timkmak) May 24, 2016
Here, WaPo catches Trump in a blatant lie: Trump says he never said he raised $6 mil for vets. It's on tape. pic.twitter.com/CSibwh5iqR
— Tim Mak (@timkmak) May 24, 2016
So, who’s nasty and who’s nice in this tale?
Good on you! Great example of how the press can push back in Trump.
— Jonathan Swift (@AModestTweet) May 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/RSaunders2016/status/735230257427419136
@RSaunders2016 @realDonaldTrump Great work. Confirms the lies. #DonTheCon
— Eric Slater (@ericsslater) May 24, 2016
it's still a claim. You can't trust anything that man says.
— L.O.M.P.E. (@Lompemann) May 24, 2016
@washingtonpost It'll be from his foundation. Guarantee it.
— Tell Fred To Do The Right Thing (@LesserFrederick) May 24, 2016
Giving out donations don't just happen overnight, you gotta vet the charities, etc. What would you know, tho?
— Correct The Record (@soldatdesfriede) May 24, 2016
damn him for giving money to vets!!! Such a sexist, racist, xenophobe!
— Officer Fren (@BrexitPlus) May 24, 2016
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