[false] Reports question Trump's giving to veterans groups

Fox News ^ | 2016 January 29 | Adam Shaw

[CutePuppy]

Donald Trump announced Friday he raised $6 million for veterans at his fundraiser in Iowa the night before.

Iowa was amazing last night. The event could not have worked out better. We raised $6,000,000 for our great vets.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) >

But this would appear a significant increase from what he's given to the cause before, according to some reports which questioned whether the billionaire businessman has been a consistent donor to vet groups.

Showbiz 411 reports that the Donald J. Trump Foundation gave a total of $2.6 million in charitable donations in the last three years, but only a fraction has gone to veterans groups. In 2012, Trump gave nothing, in 2013 he gave $6,000 and in 2014 he gave $16,000, according to the report.

The Weekly Standard reports that the foundation donated $57,000 to veterans groups between 2009 and 2013, only a small amount of the $5.5 million it gave in total during that period of time.

..... < snip >

"These reports are not accurate. Mr. Trump has made substantial personal contributions to a number of Veterans organizations as well as in-kind donations," Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks** told FoxNews.com Friday.

..... < snip >

The Weekly Standard reports that Trump's foundation, meanwhile, gave at least $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation.

..... < snip >

[CutePuppy]

** Hope Hicks, employee of Trump Organization and Trump's campaign spokeswoman:

Ivanka: My Dad's Feud With Megyn Kelly Was 'Sensationalized' - FR, posts #22, #24, 2016 October 15

Donald Trump: The Least Charitable Billionaire In The World - FR, post #41, 2015 December 27

Using veterans as a background for phony 'OPM charity' events is a tradition of "celebrities" to endear themselves to the gullible public. Trump to Hold Veteran Rally in Place of GOP Debate - FR, post #71, 2016 January 28

"The Checkbook Election 2016" is ... the predictably anti-climactic result of the Campaign Finance reforms that allow the celebrity multimillionaires finance their own campaigns (because Citizen's United decision isn't complete as long as money have to go to 'issue PACs' which cannot, by law, coordinate with [Republican] candidates and finance their own campaigns which require extensive travel, advertisement and a lot of other expenses... The idea that this makes a rich candidate "not dependent / accountable" to "Special Interest Groups" is clearly asinine — in reality it makes them ultimately unaccountable to you — but boy, do they have a "deal" for you if you elect them! Far better would be to get rid of any limits on donations to candidates (proxies for political ideas) as long as donations are transparent - i.e., allow to "buy" the candidates who can [hopefully] credibly and eloquently represent "ideas of the class" ...

From Bushes (rich) to McCain (richer), to Romney (richer), to Trump (the richest so far), the "conservatives" are "evolving" and "progressing" at nice speed...

Next stop - Bloomberg? Great resume for new "Conservative Progressive Checkbook" "He Can Win" party — far richer than Trump, wealth not inherited, self-made multibillionaire, no business bankruptcies, no debt defaults, no financial shenanigans and scandals, political and executive experience - 3-time mayor of largest US city, little "baggage," Democrat/Republican/Independent)/autocrat...

Yes, "he can win" and he can promise to "Make America Great," again ... at least he would sincerely believe it.

[Kenny]

Boy they are pushing this story. I’ve seen it in three different places.

[Sacajaweau]

Same BS hit piece....different day.

[airborne]

Did all of the money actually go to veterans?

If so, I have no problem with his efforts. I know a lot of veterans who need all the help they can get.

But that is the question. Did it go to the veterans?

[CutePuppy]

Boy they are pushing this story. I've seen it in three different places.

I did the search and found none posted. Is it not accurate or relevant? Check the links, please.

[Kenny]

Sorry, should have been more specific. They’re pushing the accusations, saw it on two shows but can’t remember which then this article. It’s not accurate but another attempt by the media to smear Trump.

[Albion Wilde]

One of the most distasteful things conservatives can do is to count other peoples’ hard earned money and start shame-siphoning. That’s the socialists’ territory. It really doesn’t matter if he has never given a cent before. He just raised $6M, and the ingrates are saying, “Is that all?” What he gives and to whom is his own business, and to the extent he is able to keep it private, it’s between him and God.

[PJBankard]

He has had the veteran groups come to his rallies and presented them the check during the rally.

[Cboldt]

He’s been handing out $100,000 checks at various events, to groups that support veterans. The funds will all be disbursed at some point. Checks are on Donald J. Trump Foundation account. I don’t know if the foundation has a public accounting, but it will be in Trump’s interest to make the disbursements transparent.

[JohnBrowdie]

trump didn’t give a flying damn about veterans until he stepped on his dork about mccain. it’s all a big trumpian diversion.

[silverleaf]

I believe that it will but not through groups that have an obscenely high overhead like Wounded Warrior Foundation that spends 40% of donated money on its own staff

The Donald is smart about this stuff and the $ 6 million will be spent where his staff recommends is best

Remember it has only been 5 days since the fund raiser , it was all planned and carried out with 48 hours notice , and Trump has been a bit busy

[be-baw]

Dumping on Trump for not giving more to veterans is absurd. Of all the candidates, who has done more? Who has come even remotely close?

[airborne]

I can wait. But I will be checking.

[airborne]

I agree.

He did raise $6 million to veterans causes. Let’s wait and see how it all plays out before crucifying the guy for trying to do something good.

I know it’s all about election time fighting but I’m not thrilled with the petty stuff.

[PghBaldy]

NEW YORK PAYS HOMAGE TO VIETNAM VETERANS

By JANE GROSS Published: May 7, 1985

''It's not just brick and mortar,'' said Donald Trump, the real-estate executive who donated $1 million of the $2.5 million raised by the commission, which is also charged with financing programs for unemployed local veterans. ''It's very much a living monument.''

http://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/07/nyregion/new-york-pays-homage-to-vietnam-veterans.html

[PghBaldy]

http://www.vietnamveteransplaza.com/2011/10/2008-honoree-of-the-year-donald-trump/

[Zhang Fei]

Dumping on Trump for not giving more to veterans is absurd. Of all the candidates, who has done more? Who has come even remotely close?

Trump has 100x more money than all of the other GOP pols put together, so the comparison is absurd. Candidates give what they can, and for most people who are not billionaires, living expenses are a day-to-day concern. What's suspicious, as pointed out in the article, is how his donations went up significantly as his presidential campaign approached, from a zero base in 2012,

[GilGil]

I love your post. Trump is a scumbag. How dare he raise $6M and then disburse it. I love people like you trashing Trump’s efforts. Wonder what you have done for the vets lately. I bet you have not raise $6M to create a little happiness for these vets.

You attitude is full of bitterness and resentment at seeing other people happy. Not a good way to live life.

[Sacajaweau]

btt

[Catsrus]

In the famous words of Joe Wilson - YOU LIE! Do some research about what Trump has done for the veterans over the years and then maybe you’ll shut your trap.