Posted on 09/09/2015 8:36:22 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Real-estate developer Donald Trump wrote a letter to CNN boss Jeff Zucker on Wednesday that called for him to donate the profits from next week's presidential debate to charity.
The Republican front-runner noted that CNN reportedly hiked its advertising rates 40 times its normal rates for the September 16 debate, which the network is hosting.
"While I refuse to brag, and you know very well, this tremendous increase in viewer interest is due 100% to 'Donald J. Trump,'" Trump wrote to Zucker.
Trump's campaign forwarded the letter to reporters and shared it on social media.
Fox News hosted the first official prime-time debate and saw viewership soar to a reported record of 24 million viewers. Trump suggested that was because of his star power.
The former "Apprentice" star has surged to the top of almost all recent polls testing the Republican primary.
"As you are aware, for the first debate, FOX unexpectedly (but not to those who know), had one of the largest audiences in the history of cable television, 24 million people plus, and word is that your audience will be even larger," he wrote.
Trump then informed CNN that the network should view its debate as "a public service and not accept the massive profits that this airing will generate."
"I believe that all profits from this broadcast should go to various VETERANS groups, a list of which I will send to you in the near future," he wrote. "The veterans of our country, our finest people, have been treated horribly by our government and its 'all talk and no action' politicians."
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
nice.
I can see why so many so strongly support Trump. He is a master at this sort of thing.
Trump...you magnificent bastard.
Now you've done it, Mr. Trump! ...
I hope so...I know CNN are afraid to hate on Trump publicly. I also think he knows that and is goading them! great stuff
Seems reasonable and gracious of CNN to do so.
Except there’s not an ounce of grace in any of those men and women.
So, if CNN won’t, will DT want to be compensated directly for his appearance on CNN? Sounds like it.
Only The Donald would have the smarts and brass to do this.
Bet CNN loathes the military ala Bill Clinton.
Every day Trump finds a way to make the headlines. Good news, bad news, arrogant comment, unexpected candor, major announcement, whatever.
Every. Single. Day.
He is a master of modern media promotion.
Just BRILLIANT!
It will be the first time I’ve intentionally tuned into CNN for 20 years.
The media relies on election year money to fatten their coffers. They also form the narrative and host the debates. MASSIVE conflict of interest, anyone?
Looks like CNN is price gouging..
I agree. No one is better than Trump at manipulating the media. It’s refreshing. I’ve never seen anything like.
Zucker to Trump: “What profits?”
cf. Hollywood accounting practices; James Garner
What would happen to CNN's anticipated ad rates? Which audience would be larger, CNN's or Donald's?
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