Veterans' Groups Line up to Reject Money from Trump (if He is Even Raising Any)

Red State ^ | January 27, 2016 | Leon H. Wolf

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Trump's standard line when he is about to storm out of a media event because he doesn't like how it covers him is that he is going to go host an event to raise money for veterans. Thus it was no surprise when he announced that he would be skipping the FoxNews event to hold a separate event to raise money for.... well, "veterans," generally. Of course, Trump did not name a specific charity so that his feet might be held to the fire on this, just "veterans," generally.

Well, there are two small problems. The main veterans group that Trump has used for publicity stunts in the past, the Wounded Warrior Project, was the subject of a scathing CBS report and recently lost their tax exempt status. Besides, if Trump is planning on using them, he hasn't told anyone from the group. Per CNN, the Wounded Warrior Project has not even been contacted by Trump about possibly doing an event tomorrow.

If he is doing it for some other group, they are now lining up to say that they don't want any money Trump might make off of promoting himself, and will reject it if offered.

>>>Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America founder Paul Rieckhoff tweeted Wednesday that he would decline any contributions that came from the event, which Trump has proposed in place of his attending Fox News' debate this week.

"If offered, @IAVA will decline donations from Trump's event. We need strong policies from candidates, not to be used for political stunts," he said.

* * *

Two other veterans' groups also distanced themselves from Trump's announcement.

The Wounded Warrior Project said it was not aware of the candidate conducting any fundraising efforts on its behalf.

Meanwhile, VoteVets.org, which calls itself the nation's largest progressive veterans group, issued a statement titled: "Don't hide from Megyn Kelly behind us."<<<<

Trump has tried to tie fundraising for veterans with debates in the past. He said he had considered skipping CNN debates in September and December unless the network donated to veterans' groups.

Vote Vets is of course a lefty group, but the other two announcements are telling. Money is money, and if groups are pre-emptively declining it, that's a pretty good indication of just how tired of Donald Trump's crap the vast majority of the country is getting.

Of course, all of this assumes that Trump had any plans of giving the money to Veterans in the first place, as opposed to just saying that he was going to so that his temper tantrum would look more noble.

Thanks to our commenter TNGal for finding this story.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

I cant even express how much I despise any liberal, progressive who hides behind a group of veterans.

First he hid behind the NYFD and NYPD, and now he's hiding behind vets. It is disgusting.

[joshua c]

Paul Rieckhoff should ask all donors their political affiliation before accepting their funds.

[aumrl]

Does that infer you are off your meds?
There should be NO need for groups like WWF.
Both R and D in the govt lie and neglect them.
That is a reason for trump.

He can’t be any worse.

[RKBA Democrat]

Cui bono?

It’s as if there is a shortage of veteran’s charities who would be thrilled to take the money.

Balderdash. Pink State grasping at straws once again.

[Gadsden1st]

“Don’t take any Rx”

And therein lies the answer.

I understand there may be some excellent medications for delusions and depression.

Also meditation and sleep may also be of assistance.

[aumrl]

I’ve never heard ‘a whore house piano’ played on Sat night or any other night.
What have you found lacking?

[Smokin' Joe]

It is money being raised through efforts with decent Americans giving from the goodness of their hearts.

So, send 'em a check. You'll never want for return address labels...

DAV, VFW, American Legion, DVNF, USO, USMC Toys for Tots, and others.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

So, send 'em a check. You'll never want for return address labels...

Or note pads.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

August 2015: ".....Trump has time and again pushed New York to limit laws on peddling - including by veterans, who can get special vendor licenses from the Department of Consumer Affairs in thanks for their service.

"While disabled veterans should be given every opportunity to earn a living, is it fair to do so to the detriment of the city as a whole or its tax paying citizens and businesses?" Trump wrote in a 1991 letter to John Dearie, then-chairman of the state Assembly's Committee on Cities.

"Do we allow Fifth Ave., one of the world's finest and most luxurious shopping districts, to be turned into an outdoor flea market, clogging and seriously downgrading the area?" Trump demanded.

New York's original peddling exceptions for veterans date back to 1894 - created to give those disabled during the Civil War a chance to support themselves. .....Source

[grania]

Trump seems to be a person who likes to know where his money is going. So much money that goes to charities doesn't end up with the intended recipients.

If these groups don't want the money, it's clear that they don't want the scrutiny that will come with it. This could end up being millions of dollars to help Veterans that are really in need. These charities are not truly serving Veterans as their first priority if they don't want the money.

So, great. I'd rather someone from Trump's organization find ways to get all of the money that comes out of this directly to Veterans who need it.

[McGruff]

How much money has Ted Cruz (or any other candidate) raised for Veteran’s groups? They’re all to busy raising money from special interest groups.

[grania]

Don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs

I don't either. By not taking drugs, I also don't take legal drugs, not even vaccinations, of any kind. Eat pure foods. Been on this for over six years now. Only exception....occasional Advil to loosen muscles.

What I've found is that my natural immune system seems to function well. I am more cautious than I used to be about being in "germ factories".

[olezip]

Money is money, and if groups are pre-emptively declining it, that's a pretty good indication of just how tired of Donald Trump's crap the vast majority of the country is getting.

I will consider this the next time a veteran's group asks for money. Apparently they have too much money. Good for them!

[grania]

FR etiquette is that whenever you mention someone in a post, you should also send it to that person. Why don’t you ping this to CW yourself?

[elhombrelibre]

He's been anti-veteran for most of his life. He's discovered veterans the same way he discovered conservatism. It's a way for him to get elected. Trump has given more to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the Clintons than he has ever given to veterans. This is just another way this snake oil salesman bamboozles people.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/28/donald-trump-wanted-vets-kicked-off-fifth-avenue.html

http://www.weeklystandard.com/for-years-trumps-charity-gave-veterans-little-more-than-peanuts/article/2000776

[elhombrelibre]

Here is a link on that Trump scam. He used his mountebank skills on that rip off.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/831a24c9ff4043fbbd994d14b03d22ce/losses-regrets-and-questions-companies-trump-endorsed

[WVKayaker]

I would caution you about baptizing cats though

More lies and half-truths don't help the Cruzers. That statement is an extremely blatant lie that is easily defeated.

The truth shall set you free but it seems that blind allegiance to Canada makes people crazy! Here is something from over TWENTY YEARS AGO!!!

Mr. Trump has long been a devoted supporter of veteran causes. In 1995, the fiftieth anniversary of World War II, only 100 spectators watched New York City's Veteran Day Parade. It was an insult to all veterans. Approached by Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the chief of New York City's FBI office, Mr. Trump agreed to lead as Grand Marshall a second parade later that year. Mr. Trump made a $1 million matching donation to finance the Nation's Day Parade. On Saturday, November 11th, over 1.4 million watched as Mr. Trump marched down Fifth Avenue with more than 25,000 veterans, some dressed in their vintage uniforms. A month later, Mr. Trump was honored in the Pentagon during a lunch with the Secretary of Defense and the entire Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[onyx]

O'REILLY BEGS TRUMP: PLEASE COME TO DEBATE
'YOU OWE ME MILKSHAKES!'

LOLOLOLOLOL @ EVERYTHING YOU POSTED!

HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU ARRIVED AT YOUR DELIRIOUS CONCLUSIONS.

[COBOL2Java]

Trump seems to be a person who likes to know where his money is going. So much money that goes to charities doesn't end up with the intended recipients.

If these groups don't want the money, it's clear that they don't want the scrutiny that will come with it. This could end up being millions of dollars to help Veterans that are really in need. These charities are not truly serving Veterans as their first priority if they don't want the money.

So, great. I'd rather someone from Trump's organization find ways to get all of the money that comes out of this directly to Veterans who need it.

"What's this? You DARE to introduce logic and reasonableness into a TDS thread? HA! I pluck your post out of my head so I can continue with my Trump hate!"

[elhombrelibre]

Trump has given more to Hillary than to Vets. It's a fact. He is a fraud.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/28/donald-trump-wanted-vets-kicked-off-fifth-avenue.html

http://www.weeklystandard.com/for-years-trumps-charity-gave-veterans-little-more-than-peanuts/article/2000776