2016 DAILY UPDATE - 5/19/16
ROUNDUP
UPDATE
DONALD TRUMP ROUNDUP
HOW FASCISM COMES TO AMERICA: "This is how fascism comes to America, not with jackboots and salutes (although there have been salutes, and a whiff of violence) but with a television huckster, a phony billionaire, a textbook egomaniac 'tapping into' popular resentments and insecurities, and with an entire national political party - out of ambition or blind party loyalty, or simply out of fear - falling into line behind him." [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
TRUMP'S TAX TROUBLE - MORE THAN 100 LAWSUITS: "While Donald J. Trump refuses to release his federal tax returns, saying his tax rate is 'none of your business,' a USA TODAY analysis found Trump's businesses have been involved in at least 100 lawsuits and other disputes related to unpaid taxes or how much tax his businesses owe...At least five Trump companies were issued warrants totaling more than $13,000 for late or unpaid taxes in New York state just since Trump declared his candidacy in June 2015, according to state records. This spring, as Trump flew to campaign rallies around the country aboard his trademark private jet, the state of New York filed a tax warrant to try to collect $8,578 in unpaid taxes from the Trump-owned company that owns the Boeing 757. The company has since paid that tax bill." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
TRUMP GOT $150K FROM A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AFTER 9/11: "Donald Trump made a pretty penny off a program to help small businesses hurt by 9/11, one of many times where The Donald took advantage of government programs to save or make money off the taxpayer. The self-proclaimed billionaire, who has so far refused to release his tax returns, was one of many wealthy individuals and businesses who used a loophole in a program intended to help smaller companies in lower Manhattan recover after the Sept. 11 tragedy. Trump got $150,000 for his swanky property at 40 Wall Street because the Empire State Development Corporation, run by the state, didn't enforce federal guidelines on what defines a small business." [New York Daily News, 5/18/16
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TRUMP'S TRADE POLICY WOULD COST FAMILIES $2,200 A YEAR: "The tariffs would cost the average household $2,200 a year, or 4% of their after-tax income, according to a new study from the non-profit National Foundation for American Policy conducted by David Tuerck, Paul Bachman and Frank Conte, all of Suffolk University. This is largely because imports under Trump's policy would become more expensive, sending the price of competing American-made goods higher as well. That would effectively levy a consumption tax on purchases and cut into the incomes of shoppers." [CNN, 5/19/16
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TRUMP THINKS FERGUSON AND OAKLAND ARE DANGEROUS LIKE IRAQ: "So what's the most dangerous place Trump has been? 'Brooklyn,' Trump replied, joking. And then, apparently serious, he continued: 'There are places in America that are among the most dangerous in the world. You go to places like Oakland. Or Ferguson. The crime numbers are worse. Seriously.'" [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION / DEPORTATION PLAN SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPERTS: "'I can't even begin to picture how we would deport 11 million people in a few years where we don't have a police state, where the police can't break down your door at will and take you away without a warrant,' said Michael Chertoff, who led a significant increase in immigration enforcement as the secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush. Finding those immigrants would be difficult, experts said. Police officers across the country would need to ask people for proof of residency or citizenship during traffic stops and street encounters. The Border Patrol would need highway checkpoints across the Southwest and near the Canadian border. To avoid racial profiling, any American could expect to be stopped and asked for papers." [New York Times, 5/19/16
]
TRUMP'S BUSINESS BOOMS DURING RUN ACCORDING TO HIS FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: "The documents, including a lengthy filing released Wednesday and one from last July, show that revenue has increased by almost $190 million, with gains coming from golf courses to branded merchandise to book royalties. At his tony Florida resort Mar-a-Lago, revenue nearly doubled, climbing from about $16 million in 2014 and the first half of 2015 to about $30 million since the start of his campaign, according to the forms. Sales of his licensed bottled-water brand, Trump Ice, are up as well - from $280,000 last year to $413,000 this year, the forms show." [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
BACK TO THE TOP
TRUMP DAILY UPDATE
Trump: "I Was A Good Student. I'm Like A Smart Person... I Even Talk About My Uncle Was A Professor At MIT, Just A Highly, Highly Respected Intellect. I Mean, I Come From A Very Smart Family." TRUMP: "You have to be true to yourself. I mean you're -- I was a good student. I'm like a smart person. And, you know, you listen to things, it's so tough. If you're a Republican, especially if you're a conservative Republican, what you go through is incredible. I even talk about my uncle was a professor at MIT, just a highly, highly respected intellect. I mean, I come from a very smart family--  I like to talk about it because conservatives are abused. They're abused by the media, falsely abused, but really abused by the media. But I put so many states into play, Michigan being one, Illinois. States -- I'll tell you what, the state of Washington, I was in Washington last week, the state of Washington. We had crowds that were the biggest they've ever had. They've never had crowds like that. They said it was like an Elton John came and we broke that record. Oregon, nobody would even think about Oregon. I'm going to campaign there. These are states that are locks for the Democrats." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump On Ben Rhodes: "He Should Be Fired, Maybe More Than Fired." HANNITY: "Republicans have said that Ben Rhodes who now has admitted he manipulated, he lied, he used propaganda to sell that bad Iranian deal and manipulating people in the media in particular, he also, by the way, if you go back to the "Wall Street Journal," the whole you tube video narrative as it relates to Benghazi, he started that lie. Should he be fired?" TRUMP: "He should be fired, maybe more than fired. First of all, the Iranian deal is one of the worst deals I've ever seen negotiated. I'm not talking about countries. I'm talking about one of the worst deals I've ever seen negotiated." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Education
The Trump Campaign Was Preparing "Revolutionary" Education Proposals That Would Upend The Current Student Loans System, Force Colleges To Share In Student Loan Risk, And Make It More Difficult For Liberal Arts Students To Obtain Student Loans. "Donald Trump has been quiet about higher education policy during his triumphant march through the Republican presidential primaries. That could be ending soon. Sam Clovis, the national co-chair and policy director of Trump's campaign, outlined for Inside Higher Ed the ideas that the presumptive GOP nominee is preparing to put forth. While final decisions have not been made on when the ideas will be formally unveiled, not to mention many details worked out, Clovis said the Trump campaign expects higher education to be a major issue in the fall general election. Some of the ideas under consideration could be 'revolutionary,' Clovis said. Proposals currently being prepared would upend the current system of student loans, force all colleges to share the risk of such loans and make it harder for those wanting to major in the liberal arts at nonelite institutions to obtain loans. And even if some of the proposals would face a skeptical Congress, these ideas could gain considerable attention if Trump uses them to parry with his Democratic opponent." [Inside Higher Ed, 5/13/16
]
Trump Opposed Proposals For Free Community College And Free Higher Education. "Clovis is a tenured professor of economics at Morningside College, a small private college in Iowa, who is currently on leave to work for the Trump campaign. Some of Clovis's recent pronouncements on Trump policies have been widely criticized by Washington experts as unworkable or unrealistic. And Clovis said he expects some higher education leaders to react the same way as Trump outlines these ideas in the fall campaign. He said the campaign remains open to ideas as long as they put the emphasis on student success in ways that have more impact than efforts of past administrations. First off, Clovis made clear that the Trump campaign will fight and not endorse Hillary Clinton's proposal for debt-free public higher education or the Bernie Sanders plan for free public higher education. The response on those ideas will be 'unequivocally no,' Clovis said. 'How do you pay for that? It's absurd on its surface.' Further, Trump will also reject President Obama's proposals for a state-federal partnership to make community college free for new high school graduates. Community colleges are 'damn near free' now, and 'almost anyone can afford community college,' he said." [Inside Higher Ed, 5/13/16
]
*         Trump Campaign Co-Chair, Sam Clovis, Said Trump Rejected Obama's Proposal For Free Community College Because "Almost Anyone Can Afford Community College" Already. "First off, Clovis made clear that the Trump campaign will fight and not endorse Hillary Clinton's proposal for debt-free public higher education or the Bernie Sanders plan for free public higher education. The response on those ideas will be 'unequivocally no,' Clovis said. 'How do you pay for that? It's absurd on its surface.' Further, Trump will also reject President Obama's proposals for a state-federal partnership to make community college free for new high school graduates. Community colleges are 'damn near free' now, and 'almost anyone can afford community college,' he said." [Inside Higher Ed, 5/13/16
]
The Trump Campaign Planned A Complete Overhaul Of The Federal Student Loan System To Make It "Market Driven" And Increase Colleges' "Skin In The Game." "Many of the ideas on which the Trump campaign is working involve a complete overhaul of the federal student loan system, moving the government out of lending and restoring that role to private banks, as was the case before President Clinton partially and President Obama fully shifted loan origination from private lenders to the government. 'We think it should be marketplace and market driven,' he said. Local banks should be lending to local students, he said, but colleges should be playing a role in determining loan worthiness on factors that go beyond family income. Further, he said that all colleges should have 'skin in the game' and share the risk associated with student loans. Many in Congress (and not just Republicans) have voiced support for that idea. But many Democrats have argued that some institutions -- historically black colleges or community colleges, for example -- should be exempt, given their histories of educating many students from low-income families who may not have the financial resources of others. But Clovis said that the principle of colleges sharing risk must apply to all institutions." [Inside Higher Ed, 5/13/16
]
The Trump Campaign Planned Student Loan Reforms To Allow Colleges And Banks To Make Loan Decisions Based On Students' Majors And Likely Future Earnings. "Many of the ideas on which the Trump campaign is working involve a complete overhaul of the federal student loan system, moving the government out of lending and restoring that role to private banks, as was the case before President Clinton partially and President Obama fully shifted loan origination from private lenders to the government... Further, he said that the risk needs to be substantial enough to change the way colleges decide whether to admit students, and which programs they offer. Clovis said he hoped many colleges would continue to provide remediation for those unprepared for college-level work, although he said that he preferred the term 'student success programs' to remediation. But he said that colleges should not be admitting students that they aren't confident can graduate in a reasonable time frame and find jobs. That means a shift in who is involved in deciding on student loans, with less emphasis on parent contributions and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and more of 'a partnership' between the student, the bank and the college. 'We think if the college has real skin in the game, it will change its model.' And these reforms would make it legitimate for colleges and banks to make decisions in part on students' prospective majors and their likely earnings after graduation, he said. 'If you are going to study 16th-century French art, more power to you. I support the arts,' Clovis said. 'But you are not going to get a job.' A college should factor that in when deciding on a student's loan eligibility, and the requirement that colleges share the risk would be a powerful incentive to do so, Clovis added. 'If you get into the esoteric aspects of a particular art field, you have to know that those are the circumstances,' he said. And Clovis said this does not mean the Trump campaign is against the liberal arts. 'The liberal arts education is the absolute foundation to success in life,' Clovis said, adding that he hoped business and engineering and health professions and education students would include liberal arts courses in their college educations. But it is a different thing altogether, Clovis said, to focus on such fields. 'If you choose to major in the liberal arts, there are issues associated with that.'" [Inside Higher Ed, 5/13/16
]
The Trump Campaign's Planned Education Reforms Would Make It More Difficult For Students Pursing Liberal Arts Degrees To Secure Student Loans. "And these reforms would make it legitimate for colleges and banks to make decisions in part on students' prospective majors and their likely earnings after graduation, he said. 'If you are going to study 16th-century French art, more power to you. I support the arts,' Clovis said. 'But you are not going to get a job.' A college should factor that in when deciding on a student's loan eligibility, and the requirement that colleges share the risk would be a powerful incentive to do so, Clovis added. 'If you get into the esoteric aspects of a particular art field, you have to know that those are the circumstances,' he said. And Clovis said this does not mean the Trump campaign is against the liberal arts. 'The liberal arts education is the absolute foundation to success in life,' Clovis said, adding that he hoped business and engineering and health professions and education students would include liberal arts courses in their college educations. But it is a different thing altogether, Clovis said, to focus on such fields. 'If you choose to major in the liberal arts, there are issues associated with that.' There may be colleges that decide they are comfortable backing loans for students who study the liberal arts. A prestigious college could legitimately decide that anyone it graduates -- regardless of major -- will do well in life, and so go ahead with approving the borrowing. 'If you go to Harvard, you can major in anything you want, and once you get in the door, you'll be OK,' Clovis said, so such a college might be fine with its students borrowing to study the liberal arts. 'But not all colleges are in the same system,' he said." [Inside Higher Ed, 5/13/16
]
Trump Planned To Look Into Removing Functions From The Department Of Education, Including Potentially Moving Its Office For Civil Rights Into The Department Of Justice. "The Obama administration has also been notable for overseeing many more investigations of colleges on how they handle sex assaults and for guidance that has encouraged colleges to take tougher stances in investigating alleged assaults. Clovis did not comment on those investigations per se, but said that one idea the campaign might propose would be to move the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights to join the civil rights division of the Department of Justice. 'Once we get into office, we're going to take a hard look at the Department of Education,' he said. 'There are lots of things that serve people well, but there are many operations that do not. Civil rights is an important aspect of everything,' but students and colleges might get 'better guidance and effectiveness' if we put it all 'under one tent' at the Justice Department.'" [Inside Higher Ed, 5/13/16
]
Campaign Staff
Paul Manafort Was Named Trump Campaign Chairman And Chief Strategist. "Donald Trump will change the role for one of his campaign's top advisors, ABC News has learned. Sources within the campaign said that Trump will name Paul Manafort to the new role of Campaign Chairman and Chief Strategist. Manafort, who was brought on board early last month as a convention manager, was originally tasked with trying to secure Trump the necessary delegates to avoid a fight at the Republican convention. With Trump now the likely presumptive nominee for the GOP, Manafort's new role is a natural growth of the campaign as they begin to build a team ready for the general election, according to the sources. The role is an obvious promotion for Manafort, but sources stressed it should not be seen as a demotion for campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Campaign spokesperson Hope Hicks confirmed the move, adding that Lewandowski will, 'continue overseeing day to day operations and will work with Manafort on political strategy and communications, among other things, through the general election.'" [ABC News, 5/19/16
]
Caleb Andrew Bailey Was Indicted On Weapons And Child Pornography Charges. "Waldorf Man Indicted for Illegal Transport of Explosives, Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun and Child Pornography Offenses. Greenbelt, Maryland - A federal grand jury indicted Caleb Andrew Bailey, age 30, of Waldorf, Maryland late yesterday on various charges." [Press Release, Department Of Justice, 5/19/16
]
Caleb Baily Was A Trump Delegate In Maryland. "The U.S. Department of Justice announced today the indictment of Caleb Andrew Bailey, a Maryland resident, charged with engaging with a minor to produce child pornography, transporting explosives, and illegally possessing a machine gun. Lawnewz.com has confirmed that Bailey is also a Maryland delegate supporting presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump. His father is the former vice chair of the Maryland Republican Party." [Law Newz, 5/19/16
]
Foreign Policy
Trump On Russian Presence In Ukraine: "I Don't Like It. I Don't Like It At All." "On Russian presence in Ukraine: 'I don't like it. I don't like it at all.'" [Reuters, 5/18/16
]
Trump Supported A Bill To Allow The Families Of 9/11 Victims To Sue Saudi Arabia. HANNITY: "All right, so there's a bill that passed unanimously because we have these 28 redacted pages from the Commission report on 9/11. And it appears that the Saudis had connections to and may have financially assisted those people that attacked our country. Now, they said they passed a vote unanimously. The president won't sign it. Shouldn't America have the right to see those pages, and should those families have the right to sue? And what would you do if you were president?" TRUMP: "The answer is yes, they should. And, you know, we got into a war in Iraq that I was totally opposed to. But Iraq did not knock down the World Trade Center, Sean. So we fought -- and they didn't have weapons of mass destruction either, by the way. And you look at what's happened since then and it's been a disaster. And the way Obama got out was a total catastrophe. And just look at what's happening. But the answer is yes, we have to get to the bottom of it. And everybody wants to keep it quiet. Everybody wants to keep it secret. I don't -- I think most people know pretty much what's on those papers, but people do have the right to sue and they should have the right to sue. They lost their loved ones." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
5/18/16: Jared Kushner Attended Trump's Meeting With Henry Kissinger. "Trump brought son-in-law Jared Kushner to Kissinger meeting." [@ZekeJMiller, Twitter, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Six Reasons Why Trump Meeting With Kim Jong Un Is A Very Bad Idea." [Foreign Policy, 5/18/16
]
Trump's Plan To Meet With Kim Jung Un Would Legitimize North Korea's Nuclear Status, Harm Allies' Confidence In Deterrence, And Set Back The Growing Criticism Of North Korea's Human Rights Record. "A presidential summit would legitimize the North's nuclear status. Pyongyang has declared that it would be prepared to enter into arms control negotiations with the United States as a fellow nuclear weapons state. The United States would have to acknowledge Pyongyang's nuclear weapons status, cease sanctions, end the nuclear umbrella over Japan and South Korea, end criticism of the North's human rights abuses, and have the president personally guarantee these commitments in an agreement with the North Korean leader. These have been the North's demands since at least 2002, when I was with our delegation as we confronted the regime with evidence of its cheating on the previous Agreed Framework. Our allies would lose confidence in extended deterrence. If the plan is to get Tokyo and Seoul to go nuclear, this would be an effective shortcut. In the past, Trump said he would be open to this, but I doubt he really meant it. Kim would control the reality show. Kim Jong Un does not do summits outside of North Korea, even with erstwhile ally China. And as Madeleine Albright, Jimmy Carter, and numerous other leaders have found, Kim will stage-manage the show to ensure maximum propaganda advantage for his regime. The narrative would be that of a tribute mission to the Great Marshall. This is not like holding the Miss Universe contest in Moscow. The summit would cause despair for millions of suffering North Koreans. North Korea's horrific human rights record has finally seen a growing crescendo of criticism, including a damning report by a United Nations commission of inquiry, U.S. legislation, and greater pressure from Asia and Europe. The North would use a U.S. presidential summit to dissipate that momentum and to deflate the meager hope growing in the hearts of the North Korean people." [Foreign Policy, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Donald Trump Expected To Get 'Vanilla' Intel Briefing." [CNN, 5/18/16
]
Trump's Security Briefing As A Candidate Would Only Consist Of Broad Overviews. "Donald Trump should soon be privy to classified intelligence briefings -- a prospect that makes some people nervous. Former intelligence officials, some of whom once provided similar briefings, told CNN that the qualities that have propelled Trump to the top of the Republican ticket -- a swaggering stream-of-consciousness speaking style peppered with off-the-cuff zingers -- are exactly the traits raising alarm. They worry that the New York real-estate mogul may not have the temperament or experience to handle sensitive security information with discretion... 'I'd use the word vanilla' to describe the information given to the candidates, said Riedel, who briefed President George H.W. Bush. They are broad overviews, with 'a lot of 'here's what the situation in Syria is, here's how ISIS is doing.' '" [CNN, 5/18/16
]
Wall Street
Trump Said The United States Needed To Allow Banks To Be Big Enough To Compete With International Banks. "On breaking up big banks: 'The big banks aren't big banks compared to other big banks. In other words if you look at the big banks in Germany or if you look at the big banks in China, I have the biggest bank in the world right downstairs four or five floors below us-- If we make our big banks too much not big, they won't be able to compete with the banks from China and the banks from Germany and other big banks.'" [Reuters, 5/18/16
]
Trump: "Dodd Frank Has Made It Impossible For Bankers To Function-- It Makes It Very Hard For Bankers To Loan Money For People To Create Jobs, For People With Businesses To Create Jobs. And That Has To Stop." On repealing Dodd-Frank: 'I'm going to be making a statement about this in approximately two weeks having to do with Dodd-Frank. Much of it is very bad. Much of it gives so much power to the regulators that the bankers are unable to function.' 'Dodd Frank has made it impossible for bankers to function-- It makes it very hard for bankers to loan money for people to create jobs, for people with businesses to create jobs. And that has to stop. And will there be bad loans made? Yes, but there are bad loans made now with Dodd-Frank, OK, I mean all you have to do is take a look.' 'The rules and regulations of Dodd Frank have made it so impossible to carry out business and to, especially with respect to lending to businesses who are going to employ a lot of people. So I'm going to make a statement about it. But Dodd-Frank - I mean there are some things in Dodd-Frank that can stay but overall Dodd-Frank has been very bad.'" [Reuters, 5/18/16
]
Trump On Repealing Dodd-Frank: "Will There Be Bad Loans Made? Yes, But There Are Bad Loans Made Now With Dodd-Frank." TRUMP: "Dodd Frank has made it impossible for bankers to function-- It makes it very hard for bankers to loan money for people to create jobs, for people with businesses to create jobs. And that has to stop. And will there be bad loans made? Yes, but there are bad loans made now with Dodd-Frank, OK, I mean all you have to do is take a look.' 'The rules and regulations of Dodd Frank have made it so impossible to carry out business and to, especially with respect to lending to businesses who are going to employ a lot of people. So I'm going to make a statement about it. But Dodd-Frank - I mean there are some things in Dodd-Frank that can stay but overall Dodd-Frank has been very bad.'" [Reuters, 5/18/16
]
Trump: "I'm Not One That Says We Should Get Rid Of The Federal Reserve Because I Think The Federal Reserve Has An Important Function, But It Should Certainly Be Audited." "'I think number one, the Federal Reserve should be audited. You know, they're not auditing it. And so far not too many people have been able to tell me why. I'm not one that says we should get rid of the Federal Reserve because I think the Federal Reserve has an important function, but it should certainly be audited and--  we should at least watch what they're doing from the dollar standpoint.' On timing for audit-the-Fed legislation: 'It's not my highest priority. I have other priorities like rebuild our military-- It's not my number one priority. But certainly it's one of the things that we'll be doing.'" [Reuters, 5/18/16
]
Women
Trump Admitted Having Made Inappropriate Comments About Women, But Added "You Have To Understand, I Was In The Entertainment Business. I Was An Entrepreneur. I Never Thought I Was Going To Run For Politics Or Political Office." LARSON: "You've actually on a few occasions, you kind of played to their tune. You've said things that people have later criticized you for. How do you get past that?"  TRUMP: "Well, it's true. You know, you have to understand, I was in the entertainment business. I was an entrepreneur. I never thought I was going to run for politics or political office. That only happened a few months ago. I mean, nine months, ten months ago, I said all right, I can't stand it anymore with the Iran deal and the incompetent president and all of the things that are happening in this country. I said, we're going to run. So I led a very normal life. If you would hear the politicians talking back room, talking when nobody's around, believe me, what they say is the same. They're trying to pretend that they're such angels. They're not angels. Nobody respects women more than I do. I tell you, Hillary is an example. She's married to a man who's the number one abuser of women, probably in the history of politics. Yet, they're going to spend $100 million of Wall Street money over the next little while, putting on false ads about me. As an example, what I said about Megan Kelley. Megan Kelley called me, and her show's on tonight, I guess 8:00, but Megan Kelley called me. I didn't call her, she called me. I respect that she called me. I say it with respect. If I said something so bad, she wouldn't have called me. What I said about her, as you know, wasn't what they portray. I didn't even finish the sentence and if I finished the sentence it would have been nose or ears. You understand what I'm saying." [Lars Larson Radio Show, 5/17/16]
Trump Defended His Inappropriate Comments About Megyn Kelly: "If I Said Something So Bad, She Wouldn't Have Called Me." LARSON: "You've actually on a few occasions, you kind of played to their tune. You've said things that people have later criticized you for. How do you get past that?"  TRUMP: "Well, it's true. You know, you have to understand, I was in the entertainment business. I was an entrepreneur. I never thought I was going to run for politics or political office. That only happened a few months ago. I mean, nine months, ten months ago, I said all right, I can't stand it anymore with the Iran deal and the incompetent president and all of the things that are happening in this country. I said, we're going to run. So I led a very normal life. If you would hear the politicians talking back room, talking when nobody's around, believe me, what they say is the same. They're trying to pretend that they're such angels. They're not angels. Nobody respects women more than I do. I tell you, Hillary is an example. She's married to a man who's the number one abuser of women, probably in the history of politics. Yet, they're going to spend $100 million of Wall Street money over the next little while, putting on false ads about me. As an example, what I said about Megan Kelley. Megan Kelley called me, and her show's on tonight, I guess 8:00, but Megan Kelley called me. I didn't call her, she called me. I respect that she called me. I say it with respect. If I said something so bad, she wouldn't have called me. What I said about her, as you know, wasn't what they portray. I didn't even finish the sentence and if I finished the sentence it would have been nose or ears. You understand what I'm saying." [Lars Larson Radio Show, 5/17/16]
Trump: "Some Low-Life Journalist Claims That I 'Made A Pass' At Her 29 Years Ago. Never Happened!" TRUMP: "Some low-life journalist claims that I 'made a pass' at her 29 years ago. Never happened! Like the @nytimes story which has become a joke!" [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Here's More Proof Donald Trump Is A Serial Liar." [Huffington Post, 5/18/16
]
Trump Claimed When He Said There "Has To Be Some Form Of Punishment" For Women Who Have Abortions, He Really Meant "Women Punish Themselves." "Trump told The New York Times magazine in an interview published Wednesday that when he said in March that there 'has to be some form of punishment' for women who have abortions if the procedure were to be made illegal, he meant 'women punish themselves' if they have a termination. 'I didn't mean punishment for women like prison. I'm saying women punish themselves,' Trump told the Times. 'I didn't want people to think in terms of 'prison' punishment. And because of that I walked it back.' This is a direct contradiction of what he told MSNBC's Chris Matthews. The businessman told him in March that there 'has to be some form of punishment for women who have abortions,' when the future President Trump succeeds in nominating enough Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, but that the punishment 'will have to be determined.' Trump's new comments to the Times also contradict the statement his own campaign released after anti-abortion groups condemned his punishment comment. In that statement, he said 'the woman is the victim' and that it's the provider who should be held legally responsible if abortion were banned." [Huffington Post, 5/18/16
]
Trump's Claim That He Meant "Women Punish Themselves" When They Have Abortions Was In Direct Contradiction With The Statement His Campaign Put Out Attempting To Walk Back His Comments Advocating Punishment For Abortion. "Trump told The New York Times magazine in an interview published Wednesday that when he said in March that there 'has to be some form of punishment' for women who have abortions if the procedure were to be made illegal, he meant 'women punish themselves' if they have a termination. 'I didn't mean punishment for women like prison. I'm saying women punish themselves,' Trump told the Times. 'I didn't want people to think in terms of 'prison' punishment. And because of that I walked it back.' This is a direct contradiction of what he told MSNBC's Chris Matthews. The businessman told him in March that there 'has to be some form of punishment for women who have abortions,' when the future President Trump succeeds in nominating enough Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, but that the punishment 'will have to be determined.' Trump's new comments to the Times also contradict the statement his own campaign released after anti-abortion groups condemned his punishment comment. In that statement, he said 'the woman is the victim' and that it's the provider who should be held legally responsible if abortion were banned." [Huffington Post, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Here's What Former Beauty Queens Think Of Donald Trump." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
Miss New Hampshire 2000 Likened Trump To A "Creepy Uncle" And Recalled A "Time That He Walked Through The Dressing Rooms Was Really Shocking. We Were All Naked." "The pageant world, a heady mixture of business and beauty, was one place where Trump dealt with women, many of whom desperately wanted to win a crown. This winter, we spoke to more than a dozen former contestants and several former staffers, and we read hundreds of pages of legal documents. That dive into the pageant world didn't produce the sort of clear picture that either Trump or his enemies would like to project. Many women, including several who say they are disgusted with Trump's campaign rhetoric, said their experiences were positive; they said they were treated professionally and with respect... Bridget Sullivan, 35, mother and model, Miss New Hampshire 2000, first runner-up Miss USA. She said that while the staff of Miss Universe was great overall, she found Donald Trump unsettling. When she first met him at a party in New York held to promote the contest, 'he'd hug you just a little low on your back,' she said, and give you 'a squeeze that your creepy uncle would.' While preparing for the national broadcast in 2000, Trump came backstage to wish the contestants good luck, even though many of the women weren't dressed. 'The time that he walked through the dressing rooms was really shocking. We were all naked,' Sullivan said. We spoke with four other contestants from that year, none of whom remembered Trump walking through the dressing room when contestants were naked." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
Vice President
Trump Said Newt Gingrich "Has Been Incredible" And That "There's No Lack Of Ideas Coming Out Of Newt Gingrich." TRUMP: "Some of the people on that list, not all of the people, but some of the people on that list I really like and I think will be fantastic when given the right. I mean I've seen Rudy. Rudy has been a fan for a long time. I think Newt has been incredible. I just spoke to Newt, actually, about something, and he has great ideas. I'll tell you what, there's no -- there's no lack of ideas coming out of Newt Gingrich." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
HEADLINE: "Trump Taps Washington Lawyer To Help Vet Potential Running Mates." [Bloomberg, 5/18/16
]
Trump Tapped A.B. Culvahouse Jr. To Run His Vice Presidential Vetting Process. "Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has tapped lawyer A.B. Culvahouse Jr., a longtime Washington fixture, to help vet his vice presidential picks, according to people familiar with the campaign. The role for Culvahouse, who visited Trump Tower in Manhattan earlier Wednesday for a meeting with Trump's aides, is a familiar one. He ran the vetting process for Republican presidential nominee John McCain in 2008 that ultimately selected Sarah Palin. Trump has said publicly that he's relying on multiple people to recommend vice presidential picks, including campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and one-time rival Ben Carson, though neither has the legal qualifications that are essential to the vetting process.  Trump, who is expected to announce a running mate at the GOP convention in July, has narrowed his shortlist to five or six candidates with 'deep political resumes,' he told the Associated Press last week. Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, is being considered, people close to the campaign said. Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has not been ruled out, Trump has said, though a poll today showed that such a ticket would be deeply unpopular in the state. From 1987 to 1989, Culvahouse served as White House counsel to President Ronald Reagan, helping to handle the failed Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork. He is currently a lawyer in the Washington, D.C. law firm O'Melveny & Myers, and did not respond to a request for comment. The Trump campaign also did not respond to requests for comment." [Bloomberg, 5/18/16
]
2008: A.B. Culvahouse Jr. Ran The Vetting Process For John McCain That Led To The Selection Of Sarah Palin. "The role for Culvahouse, who visited Trump Tower in Manhattan earlier Wednesday for a meeting with Trump's aides, is a familiar one. He ran the vetting process for Republican presidential nominee John McCain in 2008 that ultimately selected Sarah Palin. Trump has said publicly that he's relying on multiple people to recommend vice presidential picks, including campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and one-time rival Ben Carson, though neither has the legal qualifications that are essential to the vetting process.  Trump, who is expected to announce a running mate at the GOP convention in July, has narrowed his shortlist to five or six candidates with 'deep political resumes,' he told the Associated Press last week. Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, is being considered, people close to the campaign said. Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has not been ruled out, Trump has said, though a poll today showed that such a ticket would be deeply unpopular in the state... During five elections, Culvahouse has both helped potential running mates deal with the intrusive vetting process and served as the vetting interrogator. He has a reputation for being very deliberate in establishing the credentials of potential candidates, and their pitfalls." [Bloomberg, 5/18/16
]
In 2012, Culvahouse Said His Vetting Process Included Looking Into Tax Returns, Medical Histories, Infidelities, Secual Harassment, And Discrimination. "During five elections, Culvahouse has both helped potential running mates deal with the intrusive vetting process and served as the vetting interrogator. He has a reputation for being very deliberate in establishing the credentials of potential candidates, and their pitfalls. Writing in the Wall Street Journal in 2012, he described how deep the vetting dive goes, demanding the potential picks hand over their 'tax returns, medical histories, financial statements, court records' while answering very personal questions about 'infidelity, sexual harassment, discrimination, plagiarism, alcohol or drug addiction, delinquent taxes, credit history, and use of government positions or resources for personal benefit.'" [Bloomberg, 5/18/16
]
A.B. Culvahouse Jr. Was White House Counsel To Ronald Reagan From 1987 To 1989. "From 1987 to 1989, Culvahouse served as White House counsel to President Ronald Reagan, helping to handle the failed Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork. He is currently a lawyer in the Washington, D.C. law firm O'Melveny & Myers, and did not respond to a request for comment. The Trump campaign also did not respond to requests for comment." [Bloomberg, 5/18/16
]
A.B. Culvahouse Jr. Was A Lawyer At The Washington, D.C. Law Firm O'Melveny & Myers." "From 1987 to 1989, Culvahouse served as White House counsel to President Ronald Reagan, helping to handle the failed Supreme Court nomination of Robert Bork. He is currently a lawyer in the Washington, D.C. law firm O'Melveny & Myers, and did not respond to a request for comment. The Trump campaign also did not respond to requests for comment." [Bloomberg, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Trump's Political Advisers Wanted To Vet Him. He Said No." [Mother Jones, 5/19/16
]
Donald Trump Refused Suggestions From Political Advisers To Hire A Professional To Investigate Trump's Past. "For most major presidential campaigns, it is a routine act: you conduct opposition research on your own candidate. The reason is obvious; campaign officials and candidates want to know what they might have to contend with once the you-know-what starts flying. But not Donald Trump. At least not at the start of the campaign that would lead to him becoming the presumptive GOP nominee. According to a source with direct knowledge, when Trump was considering entering the presidential race early last year, his political advisers, including Corey Lewandowski, who would become his campaign manager, suggested that Trump hire a professional to investigate his past. But the celebrity mogul said no and refused to pay for it. Marital infidelity, connections to mob-related persons, bankruptcies, the hiring of undocumented workers, policy flip-flops, deals gone bad, legal troubles-Trump's life is an opposition researcher's dream. That was no secret to his political lieutenants, who prior to his announcement discussed the need to conduct a deep dive into the tycoon's background. The point was to go beyond Googling and perusing the many books written on Trump-and mount a full forensic examination of everything Donald. Especially before anyone else did. (Trump's aides had heard a rumor that wealthy conservative donors, perhaps including the Koch Brothers, were underwriting a private opposition research effort aimed at the former reality TV star.)" [Mother Jones, 5/19/16
]
The Trump Campaign Wrote Memos Preparing Responses To Trump's Potential Vulnerabilities Including His 1999 Proposal For A Net Worth Tax, Past Donations To Democrats, Outsourcing  His Clothing Line To China, Avoiding The Vietnam War Draft, His Businesses' Bankruptcies, And His Lack Of A Plan To Defeat ISIS. "Though Trump would not authorize an extensive research effort to identify what oppo might be most harmful to his candidacy, his campaign did prepare responses to obvious lines of attack against the billionaire. Mother Jones reviewed one campaign memo outlining possible replies to expected assaults, but most of these topics were policy and political matters already in the public realm. What about Trump's 1999 proposal to raise taxes on the well-to-do? Trump merely had proposed a one-time fix designed to erase the national debt, a move that showed that Trump possessed the foresight to see that deficits would become a major problem. What about his past donations to Democrats? Trump was supporting incumbents of both parties as an act of civic participation, and since 2011 he has only contributed to Republicans. What about Trump manufacturing his clothing line in China? He had played no role in the decision to out-source, and China was picked because US regulation and red tape made it too expensive to manufacture goods in the United States. What about his failure to serve in the military? Trump had received student deferments, and as a graduate of a military academy he has been a strong proponent of the US military and veterans. This memo covered numerous issues. What about the bankruptcies filed by his companies? Trump has never filed for personal bankruptcy. What about Trump's previous support for universal healthcare? Trump has always called for a market-based system and has been an ardent opponent of Obamacare. What about Trump saying he has a plan to defeat ISIS but refusing to provide details? Trump does not want to tell ISIS in advance how he will defeat it; that would put US soldiers at risk. What about Trump's support for the TARP bailout of the big banks? Trump believed TARP was necessary to stabilize the global financial system but came to conclude the program was poorly administered. What about Trump's previous support for Jeb Bush, whom he once called the kind of political leader the United States needs? The Bush presidencies have been failures, Jeb Bush governed Florida as a typical politician who bowed to lobbyists and special interests, and it's time to make America great again." [Mother Jones, 5/19/16
]
The Trump Campaign Prepared A Memo Advising Trump To Excuse His Lack Of A Specific Plan To Defeat ISIS On The Fact He Did Not Want TO Put US Soldiers At Risk By Alerting ISIS To How He Would Defeat It. "Though Trump would not authorize an extensive research effort to identify what oppo might be most harmful to his candidacy, his campaign did prepare responses to obvious lines of attack against the billionaire. Mother Jones reviewed one campaign memo outlining possible replies to expected assaults, but most of these topics were policy and political matters already in the public realm... What about Trump saying he has a plan to defeat ISIS but refusing to provide details? Trump does not want to tell ISIS in advance how he will defeat it; that would put US soldiers at risk." [Mother Jones, 5/19/16
]
Trump Was Friends With Finance Mogul Jeffrey Epstein, Who Was Arrested In 2006 For Soliciting Paid Sex With A Minor. "One subject on the mind of Trump's advisers was Jeffrey Epstein, the finance mogul who was arrested in 2006 and subsequently pled guilty to having solicited paid sex with a minor. He ultimately served 13 months in prison and had to register as a sex offender. (Several years ago, alleged Epstein victims filed a lawsuit against the US government claiming Epstein received too sweet a plea bargain.) Trump's advisers didn't know of anything in particular to worry about. But they knew that Trump had been linked to his fellow Palm Beach resident. In 2002, Trump had said of Epstein, 'I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it-Jeffrey enjoys his social life.' Epstein had occasionally visited Mar-a-Lago, Trump's estate and club down the road from Epstein's mansion. Trump also had flown on Epstein's plane and had dined at his house. And Virginia Roberts, an alleged Epstein victim who tried to join the civil lawsuit, maintaining that Epstein kept her as a sex slave for several years when she was a teenager, was working at Mar-a-Lago as a changing room assistant when she was recruited, at age 15, to be a masseuse for Epstein. (A judge recently denied Roberts' bid to become a plaintiff in the case.) Trump has downplayed his association with Epstein. But these connections would be enough to cause any senior campaign staffer to want a full examination. 'This vetting process was not for the purpose of looking at Epstein specifically,' a Trump insider says. 'It was to be an audit to see what could be found on anything.' (Conservatives have pointed to Bill Clinton's friendship with Epstein-he often was a passenger on Epstein's private plane-as possible ammunition to be used in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.)" [Mother Jones, 5/19/16
]
*         2002: Trump Called Jeffrey Epstein A "Terrific Guy" And Said "He's A Lot Of Fun To Be With. It Is Even Said That He Likes Beautiful Women As Much As I Do, And Many Of Them Are On The Younger Side. No Doubt About It -- Jeffrey Enjoys His Social Life." "Epstein likes to tell people that he's a loner, a man who's never touched alcohol or drugs, and one whose nightlife is far from energetic. And yet if you talk to Donald Trump, a different Epstein emerges. 'I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,' Trump booms from a speakerphone. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it -- Jeffrey enjoys his social life.'" [New York Magazine, 10/28/02
]
Trade
HEADLINE: "Trump's Tariffs Will Cost Americans Thousands, Report Says." [CNN Money, 5/19/16
]
National Foundation For American Policy Study: Trump's Proposed Tariff's Would Cost The Average Household 4% Of Their After-Tax Income. "Trump has repeatedly said America has been on the losing end of trade deals for years. In his view, the tariffs would level the playing field by making imports more expensive. That, in turn, would prompt American companies to produce more domestically and bring back jobs. Experts, however, say boosting tariffs would be a bad deal for Americans, particularly for the poor. The tariffs would cost the average household $2,200 a year, or 4% of their after-tax income, according to a new study from the non-profit National Foundation for American Policy conducted by David Tuerck, Paul Bachman and Frank Conte, all of Suffolk University. This is largely because imports under Trump's policy would become more expensive, sending the price of competing American-made goods higher as well. That would effectively levy a consumption tax on purchases and cut into the incomes of shoppers." [CNN Money, 5/19/16
]
Immigration
HEADLINE: "Key Ally Chris Collins Tempers Trump's Controversial Campaign Promises." [Buffalo News, 5/17/16
]
Trump's First Congressional Endorser, Chris Collins, Said He Did Not Think Trump Would Actually Build A Border Wall With Mexico Or Deport 12 Million Undocumented Immigrants. "The first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president doesn't envision one of Trump's main campaign promises - a wall at the Mexican border - ever becoming a reality that stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. 'I have called it a virtual wall,' Rep. Chris Collins said in an interview with The Buffalo News. 'Maybe we will be building a wall over some aspects of it; I don't know,' the Clarence Republican said of Trump's proposed barrier to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing the southern border. Collins, who has become one of the presumptive GOP nominee's main media surrogates, also cast doubts on another central Trump campaign promise: the candidate's vow to deport the nation's 12 million undocumented immigrants. 'I call it a rhetorical deportation of 12 million people,' Collins said." [Buffalo News, 5/17/16
]
Representative Chris Collins: "I Have Called It A Virtual Wall... I Call It A Rhetorical Deportation Of 12 Million People." "'I have called it a virtual wall,' Rep. Chris Collins said in an interview with The Buffalo News. 'Maybe we will be building a wall over some aspects of it; I don't know,' the Clarence Republican said of Trump's proposed barrier to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing the southern border. Collins, who has become one of the presumptive GOP nominee's main media surrogates, also cast doubts on another central Trump campaign promise: the candidate's vow to deport the nation's 12 million undocumented immigrants. 'I call it a rhetorical deportation of 12 million people,' Collins said." [Buffalo News, 5/17/16
]
HEADLINE: "Donald Trump's Immigration Plan: Big Promises, Bigger Doubts." [New York Times, 5/19/16
]
Trump's Plan To Mass Deport 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants Lacked Specifics, And Experts Said It Would Have Astronomical Costs. "Donald J. Trump's vow to restore what he says is America's lost luster, while perhaps not as flowery, comes with campaign promises that are equally grandiose. But Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has typically provided scant details on how he might make good on his promises - and ambitious ideas, even the concrete kind, do not always add up. Central to Mr. Trump's campaign, and to his national security strategy, is his intent to clamp down on illegal immigration, using a vast deportation 'force' to relocate people to the other side of a wall, funded by Mexico, that would stretch nearly the length of the southern border. Mr. Trump has suggested he will flesh out his ideas in a forthcoming speech. But experts across many fields who have analyzed his plans so far warn that they would come at astronomical costs - whoever paid - and would in many ways defy the logic of science, engineering and law. Mass deportations: Adding chaos to dysfunction. Mr. Trump has a simple plan to reduce the population of 11 million immigrants living illegally in the United States: Deport them. How? He says he would follow the example of the military-style roundups authorized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. The initiative, known as Operation Wetback, expelled hundreds of thousands of Mexicans. Mr. Trump contends that the start of deportations would show immigrants he meant business and prompt many to leave on their own, and that it would take about two years to finish the job. There, the specifics end." [New York Times, 5/19/16
]
Former Bush Administration Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff: "I Can't Even Begin To Picture How We Would Deport 11 Million People In A Few Years Where We Don't Have A Police State, Where The Police Can't Break Down Your Door At Will And Take You Away Without A Warrant." "Former senior immigration and border officials are skeptical, to put it mildly. Deportations have peaked recently at about 400,000 a year, so the increase in scale to reach Mr. Trump's goal would be exponential. And many legal procedures and constitutional constraints on the police did not exist in the Eisenhower era. 'I can't even begin to picture how we would deport 11 million people in a few years where we don't have a police state, where the police can't break down your door at will and take you away without a warrant,' said Michael Chertoff, who led a significant increase in immigration enforcement as the secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush." [New York Times, 5/19/16
]
Trump Claimed His Planned Border Wall With Mexico Would Cost Around $10 Billion. "Mr. Trump has promised that the wall will be big, beautiful, tall and strong. Spanning 1,000 miles along the southern border, it will stem the flow of immigrants bringing drugs and crime. And, yes, Mexico will pay for the Great Wall of Trump, as he has called it. But the wall - symbolic of an iron-fisted immigration policy and providing a rallying cry for his supporters - has proved to be as divisive in theory as it would be in practice. And experts in domestic security, immigration policy and civil engineering say that building it would be a daunting task and cause more problems than it would solve. Mr. Trump has shared few details. He has said that the wall would be built from precast concrete and steel and that it could be 50 feet tall, if not higher. After calling for it to extend across the entire 2,000-mile southern border, he more recently said half that length could be sufficient because of natural barriers. He has pegged the cost at $4 billion to $12 billion, most recently settling on around $10 billion." [New York Times, 5/19/16
]
Wall-Building Experts Said Trump's Cost Estimate Was Far Too Low, With One Estimating The Cost Would Be At Least $26 Billion. "After calling for it to extend across the entire 2,000-mile southern border, he more recently said half that length could be sufficient because of natural barriers. He has pegged the cost at $4 billion to $12 billion, most recently settling on around $10 billion. Some see that as low. 'There's a lot of logistics involved in this, and I don't know how thoroughly they've thought it out,' said Todd Sternfeld, chief executive of Superior Concrete, a Texas-based builder of walls. 'The resources alone would be astronomical.' Mr. Sternfeld, who has led major wall projects across the country and approached the Trump family last summer, suggested that Mr. Trump was overly optimistic about the cost and was underestimating the complexity of the undertaking. Running the numbers, Mr. Sternfeld said a 40-foot-tall concrete wall using a 'post and panel' system that went 10 feet below the ground - to minimize tunneling - would cost at least $26 billion. The logistics would be nightmarish, including multiple concrete casting sites and temporary housing for a crew of 1,000 workers if the job were to be completed within Mr. Trump's first four-year term." [New York Times, 5/19/16
]
Trump's Proposed Border Wall Would Violate A 50-Year-Old Treaty With Mexico If It Obstructed Or Diverted The Flow Of Waterways. "Billions of gallons flow between the United States and Mexico, funneling lifeblood to farms and communities on both sides of the border. The Colorado River sends water south; the Rio Grande, a natural boundary for hundreds of miles, delivers precious water from Mexico, through dozens of canals, to much of South Texas. Water experts in the Southwest question how Mr. Trump's border wall could accommodate those crucial flows and still provide the barrier he wants. Another complication is that a nearly 50-year-old treaty between Mexico and the United States prevents any construction that obstructs or diverts the flow of the waterways. The wall, in other words, could not interfere in any way with the flow of water in either direction." [New York Times, 5/19/16
]
Terrorism
Trump: "Looks Like Yet Another Terrorist Attack. Airplane Departed From Paris." TRUMP: "Looks like yet another terrorist attack. Airplane departed from Paris. When will we get tough, smart and vigilant? Great hate and sickness!"  [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/19/16
]
HEADLINE: "Trump Calls Egyptair Crash 'Another Terrorist Attack'" [ABC News, 5/19/16
]
Trump Labeled A Missing Egyptair Plane As A Terrorist Attack While Egyptian, French And Greek Officials Said It Was Too Early To Determine Whether It Was An Act Of Terrorism. "Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is weighing in on the crash of an EgyptAir flight that had been traveling from Paris to Cairo, calling it 'yet another terrorist attack.' In a Twitter post Thursday, Trump pointed to the incident, asking 'when will we get tough, smart and vigilant? Great hate and sickness!' The flight, with 66 passengers and crew on board, crashed in the Mediterranean Sea off the Greek island of Crete early Thursday morning. Egyptian, French and Greek officials have launched investigations into the crash but say it is too early to determine whether it was due to a technical error or an act of terrorism." [ABC News, 5/19/16
]
Trump Said His Solution To Long Security Lines At Airports "Would Be Knock The Hell Out Of The Terrorists And Get Rid Of Them." CARLSON: "The airlines are furious. Should basically TSA be fired? Should we allow private contractors to do what TSA apparently is not up to doing?" TRUMP: "In my opinion you probably should, because--  You have to be very strong with them though. You have to watch them very carefully, but you probably should, because what I'm hearing is the level of security or the level of checking is not what it should be. Despite that, how does the government run something so big? If you think about it, if you had an airline and they had three booths and they had people coming in, it would be I think a much more efficient system--  It should be a much better system. What you have to be careful is that they don't cut back. There's no easy answer. The greatest answer would be knock the hell out of the terrorists and get rid of them, but even then you have to ... This is a different-- I remember when I used to go on airplanes you'd walk right onto the plane. Nobody ever thought of this stuff. Now every time you walk on a plane you're looking around, you're looking who's sitting next to you. It's a much different world that we're living in and a lot of it's caused by bad people, bad leadership of so many different places." [John Carlson Show, KVI AM 570, 5/18/16]
Media
Trump: "If You're A Republican, Especially If You're A Conservative Republican, What You Go Through Is Incredible... Conservatives Are Abused. They're Abused By The Media, Falsely Abused, But Really Abused By The Media." TRUMP: "You have to be true to yourself. I mean you're -- I was a good student. I'm like a smart person. And, you know, you listen to things, it's so tough. If you're a Republican, especially if you're a conservative Republican, what you go through is incredible. I even talk about my uncle was a professor at MIT, just a highly, highly respected intellect. I mean, I come from a very smart family--  I like to talk about it because conservatives are abused. They're abused by the media, falsely abused, but really abused by the media. But I put so many states into play, Michigan being one, Illinois. States -- I'll tell you what, the state of Washington, I was in Washington last week, the state of Washington. We had crowds that were the biggest they've ever had. They've never had crowds like that. They said it was like an Elton John came and we broke that record. Oregon, nobody would even think about Oregon. I'm going to campaign there. These are states that are locks for the Democrats." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
HEADLINE: "Initial Talks Begin To Form Trump Press Pool." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
5/10/16: Trump Campaign Manager, Corey Lewandowski, And Communications Director, Hope Hicks, Met With Officials From The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) Last Tuesday To Discuss Creating A Protective Press Pool. "Journalists and Donald Trump's campaign have begun discussions about setting up a more traditional method of covering his candidacy now that he is the presumptive Republican nominee. According to a source familiar with the meeting, Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and communications director Hope Hicks met with officials from the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) last Tuesday to discuss the mechanics of creating what is known as a protective pool - a rotating group of journalists who follow the candidate's every move and report on his or her activities even on days with no public events. The selected journalists, or 'poolers,' circulate to a wide group of outlets regular reports with up-to-the-minute information on the candidate's movements and interactions similar to how the press covers the president. Poolers travel with the candidate wherever he or she goes in the candidate's motorcade and aboard the campaign's plane." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
Forming A Press Pool For Trump Could Be Made Difficult By His Unconventional Campaign Style And Tight Control Over Press Covering Him. "Historically, a protective pool is formed at some point after a candidate becomes a presumptive nominee. Mitt Romney agreed to protective pool coverage in August 2012. During the 2008 campaign, a protective pool was formed around Barack Obama in June and around John McCain in July. Once a candidate has a protective pool, his or her every movement can be dissected by the press. As it stands, Trump has favored an unconventional campaigning style with large scheduled rallies - instead of fundraising or retail-style events with voters - that wouldn't normally be pooled... Forming a protective pool to cover Trump could prove to be difficult given the candidate's and his campaign's treatment of the press covering him thus far. The campaign has severely limited the access reporters have at Trump's events, confining journalists to a pen during his speeches and barring them from approaching the rope line as he exits. Trump's tightly controlled press operation differs from many campaigns - a small group of aides, and Trump himself, reportedly handle many inquiries. The campaign has also refused to credential several outlets (including BuzzFeed News)." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
The Trump Campaign Has Refused To Credential Several Media Outlets During The Campaign. "Forming a protective pool to cover Trump could prove to be difficult given the candidate's and his campaign's treatment of the press covering him thus far. The campaign has severely limited the access reporters have at Trump's events, confining journalists to a pen during his speeches and barring them from approaching the rope line as he exits. Trump's tightly controlled press operation differs from many campaigns - a small group of aides, and Trump himself, reportedly handle many inquiries. The campaign has also refused to credential several outlets (including BuzzFeed News). If it does happen, a pool will require more access and coordination between the campaign and reporters. Traditionally, journalists select which organizations and reporters are part of the pool." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Bezos On Donald Trump Threats: Not Appropriate For A Presidential Candidate." [Politico, 5/18/16
]
Jeff Bezos Said Trump's Attacks On He And The Washington Post Were "Not Appropriate" And Eroded "The Norms" Of Free Speech. "Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos said Donald Trump is not acting appropriately for a presidential candidate. Speaking to the paper's executive editor Marty Baron at a technology event at the Washington Post headquarters, Bezos said Trump's recent attacks on him and the paper had no place in American politics. 'That's not an appropriate way for a presidential candidate to behave,' Bezos said, adding that his actions erode 'the norms' of free speech. In an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity on Thursday night, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee alleged that the Amazon founder uses the Washington Post to secure tax benefits for his company." [Politico, 5/18/16
]
Trump Owned Between $50,000 And $100,000 Worth Of Amazon Stock. "Trump also owns between $50,000 and $100,000 worth of Amazon stock. He has criticized the company and chief executive Jeffrey P. Bezos for 'getting away with murder tax-wise' and for having a 'huge antitrust problem.' Bezos also owns The Washington Post." [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
Personal Finance
HEADLINE: "What To Look For In Donald Trump's Taxes." [Politico Magazine, 5/18/16
]
Potential Tax Cheating And Fraud Would Be More Clearly Manifest In What Trump Left Off His Tax Returns Than What Was Contained In The Returns. "There is an adage among longtime prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys that says, 'A prosecutor can indict a ham sandwich.' What the adage doesn't mention is that often the easiest-to-indict, juiciest ham sandwiches are wealthy real estate developers-the ones with overinflated egos and enduring senses of entitlement-people exactly like Donald J. Trump. As a former 27-year defense attorney, I can tell you the opportunities for tax abuse in this crowd are as predictable as they are inviting. Trump has been waffling recently on whether he'll release his tax returns, which has prompted much speculation about what he might be hiding in them. People have mentioned potential crooked real estate deals, an embarrassingly low tax rate and foreign investments. But their searches will lead nowhere. If you want to discover fraud, don't bother plumbing the depths of his real estate deals. The thousands of pages of mumbo jumbo associated with one hotel deal or another probably don't reveal anything. These finances are handled by attorneys and accountants on both sides and are pretty routine. And you cannot embarrass Trump by pointing to his likely next-to-zero tax rate. As a real estate developer, Trump undoubtedly uses every lawful financial tool available to bring his taxes as close as possible to zero. More power to him; that is the American way. Foreign investments? Plainly, he will just blame those on the Democrats. No, none of these areas is likely to bear any fruit. That's because, to expose a wrong-hearted real estate developer as a tax cheat, it is often more important to focus not on what the developer reports on his returns, but on what he leaves off." [Politico Magazine, 5/18/16
]
Trump's Tax Returns Would Potentially Show Avoiding Personal Expenses By Having His Companies Pick Up The Tab. "No, none of these areas is likely to bear any fruit. That's because, to expose a wrong-hearted real estate developer as a tax cheat, it is often more important to focus not on what the developer reports on his returns, but on what he leaves off. You see, the goal of tax cheats is usually not to save money for some corporation, but to avoid using their own shekels to pay for personal expenses. Why pay for their own homes, food, golf rounds, cars or flights-or the taxes thereon-when their companies can pick up the tab? But personal expenses charged to a company counts as compensation, and failing to report such perks as taxable income is illegal. This kind of personal and professional line-blurring is a hallmark of the real estate tax cheat-those people who control whole construction firms, golf courses and hotel crews and who don't get 1099s and W-2s for all the work they order and the perks they get. Perhaps the most famous example of this kind of fraud comes from New York real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley, who, in 1989 was convicted of having her real estate company pay for personal improvements, including a new dance floor, at her 21-room weekend home in Connecticut, without paying taxes on such benefits. (Helmsley, by the way, is famous for saying, 'We don't pay taxes. Only little guys pay taxes.')" [Politico Magazine, 5/18/16
]
Trump's Tax Returns Would Reveal Whether He Personally Paid For Mar-A-Lago In 1985, And Whether He Paid For Improvements To His "Private Quarters" At The Resort. "Any scrutiny should focus first on Mar-A-Largo, Trump's weekend and vacation oasis in Palm Beach, Florida, and former estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post. As the East Coast financial elite will attest, having a second home for leisure in Palm Beach is a pretty expensive luxury. Trump explains the financial status of Mar-A-Largo on the home page of the Mar-A-Largo website: 'Since purchasing this landmark in 1985, I spend many weekends and holidays at this home away from home. When I made it a club in 1995, (126 rooms made it a very big house), I kept private quarters and designed the club to provide the best amenities possible for our members.' The relevant questions are few and should be quite easy for Trump to answer and to prove: Did Trump pay personally when he bought Mar-A-Largo in 1985? During the time that it was his personal vacation residence from 1985-1995, did his company deduct any of the acquisition costs, real estate taxes, insurance or utilities as a corporate expense? In other words, did he and his family alone live in this vacation home for 10 years while having the government and the rest of us pay for all or some as a business expense? Or, if a corporation bought Mar-A-Largo and provided it as a corporate perk, did Trump pay taxes on the benefit? For the past 20 years since Mar-A-Largo has functioned as a club, how much has Trump personally paid for his 'private quarters,' his 'home away from home,' any improvements thereto, and for his staff, food and golf in Palm Beach? Once again, were these amenities provided as a corporate perk? If so, did Trump pay the millions of dollars that would be owed in taxes on this income?" [Politico Magazine, 5/18/16
]
Trump's Tax Returns Would Show Whether He Or His Company Paid For His Condo In Trump Tower. "Second, his primary residence at Trump Tower: Did Trump personally pay for his condo, and does he pay for the condo fees, utilities, improvements and expenses? If not-if the company pays-does he report that on his tax return?" [Politico Magazine, 5/18/16
]
Trump's Tax Returns Would Show Whether He Personally Paid For His Air Travel And Paid Taxes On It. "Third, everyone pays for his or her own car or must pay taxes on the personal use of a company car. Tom Daschle, a good and honest man, withdrew himself from consideration as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services when a friend and client claimed that he allowed Daschle part-time use of an extra car, and Daschle hadn't paid taxes on such 'benefit.' Has Trump, like the rest of us, paid for his personal travel? And then, of course, there's personal air travel, which we know Trump does often. Is Trump's plane a personal or corporate jet? If personal, did he pay for the plane and for all of the expenses out of his own pocket? If corporate, has he reimbursed the owner for personal travel or paid the taxes on the perk? The plane records could be gathered in an hour." [Politico Magazine, 5/18/16
]
The "Income" Trump Reported In His Personal Financial Disclosure Was Actually Revenue, Rather Than His Businesses Revenues Less Expenses. "On May 18, the Trump campaign filed its second annual Personal Financial Disclosure form (PFD) with the Federal Election Commission. The press statement that accompanied the filing appears, and I really mean appears, to unwrap the enigma by acknowledging what I had suspected all along: That what the Donald's been calling his 'income' is actually revenue. I'll tell you why this matters, but first, a little history. When the Trump campaign the filed the candidate's first (PFD) last July, the press release stated that 'Mr. Trump's income for the year 2014 is $362 million dollars (which does not include dividends, interest, capital gains, rents and royalties).' On the form titled 'Filer's Employment Assets and Income,' Trump fills 35 pages with what's clearly gross receipts from such items as 'condo sales,' 'golf related revenue,' 'commissions,' 'management fees,' and 'sales.' It's the these items that totals $362 million, which Trump claimed as 'income.' That definition conforms to the FEC's requirements. Keep in mind that for almost all other candidates, even the super-rich, 'income' mainly consists of their salaries plus capital gains, dividends, and the like from personal investments. But Trump is essentially reporting as a giant holding company that owns golf courses; rental, office, and condo buildings; brokerage and construction management enterprises. For businesses, 'income' always means revenues less expenses, though different income measures subtract different costs." [Fortune, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Trump Financial Declaration Reveals He Holds Bonds In Companies He Attacked." [The Guardian, 5/18/16
]
Trump Earned Thousands Of Dollars In Bond Interest From Companies He Repeatedly Attacked On The Campaign Trail For Outsourcing, Including Carrier Air Conditioning And The Holding Company For Oreo Cookies. "The 104-page financial disclosure that Donald Trump filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Tuesday offered a rare window into the presumptive Republican nominee's financial holdings - including bonds in companies he has attacked on the campaign trail. Trump has steadfastly refused to release any of his tax returns, claiming that he is undergoing an IRS audit. Doing so is voluntary, although every presidential nominee has since 1976. In contrast, the FEC's financial disclosure is required by law. Trump heralded his disclosure - which covers the last 17 months - by stating that his income was $557m, his business revenues had increased by $190m and that 'Mr Trump's net worth is in excess of $10 billion dollars.' The form, however, does not provide many specific details on Trump's income and liabilities. Instead, they are put in a variety of categories ranging from a 2015 loan for more than $50m to less than $201 in income from his 2007 book Think Big and Kick Ass. But the filing demonstrates a number of interesting investments by Trump. Despite his frequent tirades against Oreo cookies for moving some production to Mexico and his pledge to boycott the popular cookie, Trump earned between $5,000 and $15,000 in interest on bonds in Mondelez, the holding company which owns Oreo. Trump also earned between $2,500 and $5,000 in interest in bonds in United Technologies Corporation, the owner of Carrier Air Conditioning. On the campaign trail in Indiana, Trump repeatedly attacked Carrier for moving manufacturing jobs overseas and out of the state." [The Guardian, 5/18/16
]
HEADLINE: "Trump Invests In The Same Companies He Bashes." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
Trump Profited From Investments In Ford Despite Attacking The Company In Rallies For Moving Production To Mexico And Threatening To Call The CEO To Impose A 35% Tax. "Maybe Donald Trump never learned the phrase 'put your money where your mouth is.' Upon review of his Personal Financial Disclosure it turns out that presumed Republican nominee has invested and profited from multiple companies he's slammed on the trail. Mondelez International. Trump invested in the parent company of Nabisco, which he has brought up a lot for outsourcing jobs to Mexico.  'I'm never eating Oreos again ...  I love Oreos. I will never eat them again. Nabisco closes the plant in Chicago and they are moving the plant to Mexico.' (Fortune, August 2015) Ford. Trump has called the automobile company's decision to build a plant in Mexico an 'absolute disgrace' and said it would never happen under a Trump administration. At one rally he told supporters he'd call the CEO of Ford and threaten a 35% tax on any car made in Mexico. 'Let me give you the bad news. Every car, and every truck and every part manufactured in this plant that comes across the border, we're going to charge you a 35% tax. Okay? And that tax is going to be paid simultaneously with the transaction, and that's it.' (Fortune, December 2015)." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
Trump Profited From General Electric Despite Calling Their Decision To Move Jobs Out Of Connecticut "Devastating." "Maybe Donald Trump never learned the phrase 'put your money where your mouth is.' Upon review of his Personal Financial Disclosure it turns out that presumed Republican nominee has invested and profited from multiple companies he's slammed on the trail... General Electric. Trump has put money into General Electric. But while campaigning in Connecticut, he called General Electric's move of jobs outside the state 'devastating.' 'It's so devastating to lose a company like General Electric ... I'm going to bring jobs back to Connecticut and to the country. We're not going to let them go to Mexico. ... They're going everywhere but here because we have people that don't know how to deal, they don't know how to make deals' (Hartford Courant, April 2016)." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
Trump Profited From Investments In Disney Despite Bashing The Company For Its Use Of H1-B Visas For Foreign Workers. "Disney. Trump bashed the company over a lawsuit that accused them of replacing American workers with foreigners using H1-B visas - and then requiring them to train their replacements. But his anger at the company didn't stop him from investing. 'I remain totally committed to eliminating rampant, widespread H-1B abuse and ending outrageous practices such as those that occurred at Disney in Florida when Americans were forced to train their foreign replacements. I will end forever the use of the H-1B as a cheap labor program, and institute an absolute requirement to hire American workers first for every visa and immigration program. No exceptions.'" (Donald J. Trump, March 2016)." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
Trump Invested In Apple Despite Calling For A Boycott Of The Company In February 2016. "Apple. After the technology company refused to unlock the phones of the shooters in the San Bernardino massacre, Trump called on his supporters to ban Apple products. Yet, his financial disclosures show he invested in Apple. 'I like the idea of a boycott of Apple until such time as they give that information.' (Politico, February 2016)" [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
HEADLINE: "More Than 100 Lawsuits, Disputes, Tied To Trump And His Companies." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
Donald Trump's Businesses Have Been Involved In Over 100 Tax-Related Lawsuits And Disputes. "While Donald J. Trump refuses to release his federal tax returns, saying his tax rate is 'none of your business,' a USA TODAY analysis found Trump's businesses have been involved in at least 100 lawsuits and other disputes related to unpaid taxes or how much tax his businesses owe. Trump's companies have been engaged in battles over taxes almost every year from the late 1980s until as recently as March, the analysis of court cases, property records, and other documents across the country shows. At least five Trump companies were issued warrants totaling more than $13,000 for late or unpaid taxes in New York state just since Trump declared his candidacy in June 2015, according to state records. This spring, as Trump flew to campaign rallies around the country aboard his trademark private jet, the state of New York filed a tax warrant to try to collect $8,578 in unpaid taxes from the Trump-owned company that owns the Boeing 757. The company has since paid that tax bill." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
Since Trump Declared His Candidacy In June 2015, At Least 5 Trump Companies Were Issued Warrants In New York State For Unpaid Or Late Taxes. "At least five Trump companies were issued warrants totaling more than $13,000 for late or unpaid taxes in New York state just since Trump declared his candidacy in June 2015, according to state records. This spring, as Trump flew to campaign rallies around the country aboard his trademark private jet, the state of New York filed a tax warrant to try to collect $8,578 in unpaid taxes from the Trump-owned company that owns the Boeing 757. The company has since paid that tax bill." [USA Today, 5/19/16
]
HEADLINE: "Trump's Business Booms As He Runs For President, Financial Disclosures Show." [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
Donald Trump's Personal Financial Disclosure Showed The Potential For Trump To Benefit Financially From His Presidential Run, As His Income From Branded Merchandise And Book Royalties Rose During His Campaign. "Business has boomed in Donald Trump's financial empire during the time he has run for president, according to an analysis of his federal disclosure forms. The documents, including a lengthy filing released Wednesday and one from last July, show that revenue has increased by what Trump campaign statements say is almost $190 million, with gains coming from golf courses to branded merchandise to book royalties. At his tony Florida resort Mar-a-Lago, revenue nearly doubled, climbing from about $16 million in 2014 and the first half of 2015 to about $30 million since the start of his campaign, according to the forms... The flood of cash highlights one of the most unusual aspects of Trump's candidacy - the potential that a private businessman can benefit financially from a run for the White House. And it shows how his fortunes have evolved since last year, when his controversial comments about immigration and Muslims threatened to tarnish his business brand even if they boosted his political campaign." [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
Trump Reported He Earned $49.3 Million From The September 2015 Sale Of The Mis Universe Pageant Resulting From Trump's Dispute With NBC. "Trump reported that he earned $49.3 million from the sale of the Miss Universe pageant to the talent agency WME-IMG. The terms of the sale were not disclosed when it was announced in September 2015, the culmination of a fight between Trump and NBC that erupted after the start of his campaign when NBC announced it would no longer air the annual event." [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
Trump Collected $168,585 From A Screen Actors Guild Pension. "Trump listed board positions on 564 different entities, most of them small partnerships or one-owner companies tied to Trump real estate. Trump said he also collected $168,584 as part of a pension from the Screen Actors Guild." [Washington Post, 5/18/16
]
8/21/15: Trump Incorporated Four Companies Related To A Potential Hotel Project In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. "Aug. 21, 2015 was a big day for Donald Trump's emerging presidential campaign. He drew his biggest crowd up to that point - 30,000 fans - to a rally in Mobile, Alabama, promising to repeal Obamacare and end birthright citizenship. Yet Trump wasn't just politicking: On that same day, he incorporated four companies that seem related to a possible hotel project in Jeddah, the second biggest city in Saudi Arabia. He was president and owner of THC Jeddah Hotel Advisor and DT Jeddah Technical Services Advisor. The disclosures do not detail the purpose of those companies, and Trump's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the past, Trump has named other hotel companies after the cities in which the projects were located. One example: THC Baku Hotel Manager LLC, used while trying to build a hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Jeddah companies came to light in Trump's latest financial disclosure filings with the Federal Election Commission. Those filings also reveal a raft of other projects Trump appears to have pursued during his presidential run - among them a tower in India and two resorts in Indonesia that paid him up to $10 million just to license his name. The revelations highlight the potential challenges Trump may face as he seeks to disentangle his business dealings from his possible future as the head of the U.S. government. Since he announced his candidacy June 16, 2015, Trump has formed at least 46 companies that he controls. Some of the companies are designed merely to hold other entities, sometimes so that another legal entity - not Trump himself - technically has control over the holdings. The companies tied to the apparent project in Saudi Arabia may be the most puzzling: They were incorporated in August but dissolved within months, without any public disclosure about their purpose. Trump's apparent business efforts in Saudi Arabia could raise eyebrows, especially because he said in February that the nation 'blew up the World Trade Center,' an apparent reference to the 9/11 attacks." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
During His Presidential Campaign, Trump Expanded His Business Efforts In Saudi Arabia While Also Blaming The Country For 9/11. "On that same day, he incorporated four companies that seem related to a possible hotel project in Jeddah, the second biggest city in Saudi Arabia. He was president and owner of THC Jeddah Hotel Advisor and DT Jeddah Technical Services Advisor. The disclosures do not detail the purpose of those companies, and Trump's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the past, Trump has named other hotel companies after the cities in which the projects were located. One example: THC Baku Hotel Manager LLC, used while trying to build a hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Jeddah companies came to light in Trump's latest financial disclosure filings with the Federal Election Commission. Those filings also reveal a raft of other projects Trump appears to have pursued during his presidential run - among them a tower in India and two resorts in Indonesia that paid him up to $10 million just to license his name. The revelations highlight the potential challenges Trump may face as he seeks to disentangle his business dealings from his possible future as the head of the U.S. government. Since he announced his candidacy June 16, 2015, Trump has formed at least 46 companies that he controls. Some of the companies are designed merely to hold other entities, sometimes so that another legal entity - not Trump himself - technically has control over the holdings. The companies tied to the apparent project in Saudi Arabia may be the most puzzling: They were incorporated in August but dissolved within months, without any public disclosure about their purpose. Trump's apparent business efforts in Saudi Arabia could raise eyebrows, especially because he said in February that the nation 'blew up the World Trade Center,' an apparent reference to the 9/11 attacks." [BuzzFeed, 5/18/16
]
Budget
Trump: "I Do Want A Balanced Budget." HANNITY: "And some people said, well, Donald Trump's a recent covert to conservatism. And I asked you very specific question. For example, you know, you say -- do you want a balanced budget?" TRUMP: "I do." HANNITY: "You actually told me once it's immoral to steal from our kids." TRUMP: "Well, I do want a balanced budget. We could do it a lot quicker. I mean, I've heard people say we'll balance the budget within 20 years. I'm saying, 20 years, what are you talking about? I do want a balanced budget. And you have to understand, I was born in New York, and I really started my business -- you know, I was in Brooklyn and Queens with my father, but I moved to Manhattan and I started doing very, very well in Manhattan." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Said The United States Can Balance Its Budget In "A Lot Quicker" Than 20 Years. HANNITY: "And some people said, well, Donald Trump's a recent covert to conservatism. And I asked you very specific question. For example, you know, you say -- do you want a balanced budget?" TRUMP: "I do." HANNITY: "You actually told me once it's immoral to steal from our kids." TRUMP: "Well, I do want a balanced budget. We could do it a lot quicker. I mean, I've heard people say we'll balance the budget within 20 years. I'm saying, 20 years, what are you talking about? I do want a balanced budget. And you have to understand, I was born in New York, and I really started my business -- you know, I was in Brooklyn and Queens with my father, but I moved to Manhattan and I started doing very, very well in Manhattan. And if you look at the statistics on Manhattan, whether you, you know, like them or don't like them, it's very liberal. It's very Democrat. And I think that, you know, probably a lot of people feel because I come from essentially Manhattan, I would be that way. And I wanted to put this list out because I wanted to quell any fears that people may have. I mean this is a list of people that I got them from people I most respect, very conservative people." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Obamacare
Trump Said Obamacare "Almost Worked Out" Because Legislators Almost Allowed Competition Across State Lines. TRUMP: "Everyone knows. You know on Nov. 1, they're going to announce new - the numbers are going to come out for Obamacare. They are going to be catastrophic... It's beyond terrible healthcare. And Obamacare in '17 collapses. Don't forget, Obama pushed everything to '17 because he'll be out on the golf course. He'll be playing a nice round of golf someplace. Obamacare is part of the bubble problem. Now, we're going to terminate Obamacare, and we're going to replace it with something much better and much less expensive... Well, the lines are very important. The lines meaning the state borders. These people are protected from competition. And you go to these states and they have - it's almost like a monopoly in many of the states. You have to get rid of the lines. And they almost did it with Obamacare. It almost worked out." [Reuters, 5/18/16
]
Trump Claimed The Obama Administration Was Trying To Push Back The Release Date Of New Numbers About Obamacare Until After The November Election. TRUMP: "In '17, it's going to implode. And in fact, on November 1st, new numbers are coming out, right before the election. They're trying to change the date. They want to make it after the election. And it's going to show the increase necessary to sustain 'Obamacare.' And it's going to be massive. Everyone's talking about it." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Clinton
Trump Said The New York Times' Allegations Against Him About His Conduct Around Women Were "Minor Stuff" And Were Not Comparable To What Bill Clinton Had Done. TRUMP: "But the good thing about this, this sets the table. You know, this sort of sets the stage. People have seen this. People have seen Carrie. They've seen Rowanne. They've seen others now that are coming forward that were mentioned in that story, which, frankly, wasn't even that bad, if you want to know the truth. It's not like I -- I hope that people that haven't read it--  No, no, but I mean -- in one case -- I don't know -- it's, like, minor stuff. I said to one of the women, I said, don't eat -- you shouldn't have a piece of candy, OK?" HANNITY: "I tell my kid that all the time." TRUMP: "How do you compare that against Clinton, OK, what Clinton has done?" [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Donald Trump Accused Bill Clinton Of Rape. TRUMP: "How do you compare that against Clinton, OK, what Clinton has done?" HANNITY: "What about what Clinton's done? How big an issue should that be in the campaign? For example, I looked at The New York Times. Are they going to interview Juanita Broderick? Are they going to interview Paula Jones? Are they going to interview Kathleen Willey? In one case, it's about exposure. In another case, it's about groping and fondling and touching against a woman's will." TRUMP: "And rape." HANNITY: "And rape." TRUMP: "And big settlements, massive settlements." HANNITY: "Eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars for Paula Jones." TRUMP: "And lots of other things. And impeachment for lying." HANNITY: "Smearing, besmirchment of women." TRUMP: "And losing your law license. And he lost his law license, OK, couldn't practice law. And you don't read about this on Clinton." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Donald Trump Complained The Media Did Not Write About Bill Clinton's Sexual Assaults. TRUMP: "How do you compare that against Clinton, OK, what Clinton has done?" HANNITY: "What about what Clinton's done? How big an issue should that be in the campaign? For example, I looked at The New York Times. Are they going to interview Juanita Broderick? Are they going to interview Paula Jones? Are they going to interview Kathleen Willey? In one case, it's about exposure. In another case, it's about groping and fondling and touching against a woman's will." TRUMP: "And rape." HANNITY: "And rape." TRUMP: "And big settlements, massive settlements." HANNITY: "Eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars for Paula Jones." TRUMP: "And lots of other things. And impeachment for lying." HANNITY: "Smearing, besmirchment of women." TRUMP: "And losing your law license. And he lost his law license, OK, couldn't practice law. And you don't read about this on Clinton." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Accused The Clintons Of Returning Favors To Companies And Countries For Donations To The Clinton Foundation And Paid Speeches. HANNITY: "The Clinton Foundation, beyond funneling money to a friend labeled by the Secret Service 'Energizer,' a special friend of Bill's, but a more important issue. You talk about abuse of women. You talked about their personal lives. You talked about the smears, slander, besmirchment. Here's a bigger question. The Clinton Foundation took all this money from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia doesn't let women drive. They can't vote. They can't go out in public without a male relative. They have to get permission to go to school or work, and women are told what to wear. Now, I've never been able to find a quote of Hillary -- the Clinton Foundation took millions from the Saudis -- of her criticizing the mistreatment of women there." TRUMP: "But you have other cases and you have many other cases in there. And, you know, they talk about women and the abuse of women and forget about abuse by him directly. Look at what's going on and look at who gave them a lot of their money. So -- and what did all of these --  What did all of these places where they give millions of dollars for speeches, what did they get? And they got a lot. And you know that and everybody knows that." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Called For Hillary Clinton To Release Transcripts Of Her Paid Speeches. TRUMP: "Here's the thing. Hillary, now I understand, they're missing 30,000 e- mails -- 30,000! She said they had to do with the wedding, OK." HANNITY: "And she said yoga, a wedding, a funeral and e-mails to Bill, but Bill doesn't e-mail." TRUMP: "So for her to be talking about tax returns, where, by the way, you learn nothing... I think the speeches should be released, but I don't know, you know, what she's doing. I -- I know what you're probably going to see is really, really negative statements having to do with who's she's running against right now, Bernie, because I would imagine she made very positive statements toward Goldman Sachs and all the people that paid her all this money." HANNITY: "She wanted their money." TRUMP: "She wants their money. I mean, she wants this money. And she doesn't want people to see those speeches because if you listen to her, you know, she's going to protect everybody from the big bad banks and the investment bankers. And then if you see the speeches, they'll say, Wow, she's not protecting us at all." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Said Hillary Clinton Did Not Want To Release Transcripts Of Her Paid Speeches "Because I Would Imagine She Made Very Positive Statements Toward Goldman Sachs And All The People That Paid Her All This Money." TRUMP: "Here's the thing. Hillary, now I understand, they're missing 30,000 e- mails -- 30,000! She said they had to do with the wedding, OK." HANNITY: "And she said yoga, a wedding, a funeral and e-mails to Bill, but Bill doesn't e-mail." TRUMP: "So for her to be talking about tax returns, where, by the way, you learn nothing... I think the speeches should be released, but I don't know, you know, what she's doing. I -- I know what you're probably going to see is really, really negative statements having to do with who's she's running against right now, Bernie, because I would imagine she made very positive statements toward Goldman Sachs and all the people that paid her all this money." HANNITY: "She wanted their money." TRUMP: "She wants their money. I mean, she wants this money. And she doesn't want people to see those speeches because if you listen to her, you know, she's going to protect everybody from the big bad banks and the investment bankers. And then if you see the speeches, they'll say, Wow, she's not protecting us at all." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump On Hillary Clinton: "She Can't Negotiate With The Chinese. She Can't Negotiate With Japan, She Can't Negotiate With Vietnam. It's Not Her Thing." TRUMP: "They're going to go after me, I'm going to go after them. If she gets in, I think our country will never recover. I'm not only talking about Supreme Court justices. I'm talking about the whole -- and honestly, she can't negotiate with the Chinese. She can't negotiate with Japan, she can't negotiate with Vietnam. It's not her thing. It's not her thing. Number one, she won't want to do it. And number two, I don't know if she knows it's a real problem. And it will basically be four more years of Obama and maybe worse. I think that is why I think I should win." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Energy/ENVIRONMENT
Trump Planned A Policy Speech On Energy Independence In North Dakota. HANNITY: "I understand you're giving a speech next week on energy Independence." TRUMP: "Right." HANNITY: "That's a big promise." TRUMP: "In North Dakota." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Said His Plan For Energy Independence Was "Going To Be Everything" Including Coal, Fracking, Drilling, And Nuclear. HANNITY: "You're going to give this speech on energy. I think energy independence is a key to jobs, and I don't want to be dependent on countries that hate our guts for oil." TRUMP: "A hundred percent." HANNITY: "Is it going to be coal, fracking?" TRUMP: "It's going to be coal. It's going to be fracking." HANNITY: "Drilling, nuclear?" TRUMP: "It's going to be everything-- It's going to be everything. It's going to be everything." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump On The Paris Accords: "At A Minimum, I Will Be Renegotiating Those Agreements." "On the Paris accords: 'Not a big fan. No. Not a big fan because other countries don't adhere to it and China doesn't adhere to it, and China's spewing into the atmosphere.' 'Take a look at China with certain agreements where they have to do it within 30 years, and we have to do it almost immediately. You understand what I mean by that? The agreements are not fair agreements, number one. And I would say that I will be looking at that very, very seriously, and at a minimum, I will be renegotiating those agreements. At a minimum. Ok? And at a maximum, I may do something else. But those agreements are one-sided agreements, and they're bad for the United States.'" [Reuters, 5/18/16
]
SCOTUS
Trump Said He Worked With The Federalist Society And Other Groups To Put Together His List Of Potential Supreme Court Justices. TRUMP: "We just took a list of judges-- and I thought what I would do is put this forward, and this would be the list that I would either choose from or pick people very close in terms of the spirit and the meaning of what they represent. And of course, Justice Scalia is mentioned in here as -- right up front as being just one of our great judges and one of our great justices. And I came up with a list. The Federalist Society was very much involved. Various people were involved. As you know, Jeff Sessions is, to me, somebody that I have great respect for." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Said He Was A Constitutionalist Regarding His List Of Supreme Court Justices. HANNITY: "You are a constitutionalist?" TRUMP: "Correct. Correct. And I'm also -- I want high intellect. I want great intellect. These people are all of very high, high intellect. They're pro-life. And -- so that's my list. And we are going to choose from, most likely, from this list. But at a minimum, we will keep people within this general realm. And again, I have a lot of people that are conservative that really like me, love everything I stand for, but they really would like to know my view because perhaps outside of the defense of our country, perhaps the single most important thing the next president is going to have to do is pick Supreme Court justices. " [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump On His List Of Potential Supreme Court Justices: "These People Are All Of Very High, High Intellect. They're Pro-Life." HANNITY: "You are a constitutionalist?" TRUMP: "Correct. Correct. And I'm also -- I want high intellect. I want great intellect. These people are all of very high, high intellect. They're pro-life. And -- so that's my list. And we are going to choose from, most likely, from this list. But at a minimum, we will keep people within this general realm. And again, I have a lot of people that are conservative that really like me, love everything I stand for, but they really would like to know my view because perhaps outside of the defense of our country, perhaps the single most important thing the next president is going to have to do is pick Supreme Court justices. " [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump: "I Wanted To Put This List Out Because I Wanted To Quell Any Fears That People May Have. I Mean This Is A List Of People That I Got Them From People I Most Respect, Very Conservative People." TRUMP: "We just took a list of judges-- and I thought what I would do is put this forward, and this would be the list that I would either choose from or pick people very close in terms of the spirit and the meaning of what they represent. And of course, Justice Scalia is mentioned in here as -- right up front as being just one of our great judges and one of our great justices. And I came up with a list. The Federalist Society was very much involved. Various people were involved. As you know, Jeff Sessions is, to me, somebody that I have great respect for... And I wanted to put this list out because I wanted to quell any fears that people may have. I mean this is a list of people that I got them from people I most respect, very conservative people." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Backed Out Of His Guarantee That He Would Only Nominate Someone From His List Of Potential Supreme Court Justices. HANNITY: "You are a constitutionalist?" TRUMP: "Correct. Correct. And I'm also -- I want high intellect. I want great intellect. These people are all of very high, high intellect. They're pro-life. And -- so that's my list. And we are going to choose from, most likely, from this list. But at a minimum, we will keep people within this general realm. And again, I have a lot of people that are conservative that really like me, love everything I stand for, but they really would like to know my view because perhaps outside of the defense of our country, perhaps the single most important thing the next president is going to have to do is pick Supreme Court justices. " [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
*         3/20/16: Trump: "I'm Going To Give A List Of 5 Or 10 Judges That I Will Pick-- 100% Pick-- That I Will Put In For Nomination. Because Some Of The People That Are Against Me Say, 'We Don't Know If He's Going To Pick The Right Judges.'" TRUMP: "And one of the things I'm going to do, and perhaps this is breaking, I'm going to give a list of 5 or 10 judges that I will pick-- 100% pick-- that I will put in for nomination. Because some of the people that are against me say, 'We don't know if he's going to pick the right judges,' 'Supposing he picks a liberal judge' or 'Supposing he picks a pro-choice judge.' So what I'm going to get between 5 to 10 judges that everybody likes and totally admires." [Donald Trump Speech, Lincoln Day Dinner, Palm Beach County GOP, Palm Beach FL, 3/20/16]
*         5/18/16: Trump: "So That's My List. And We Are Going To Choose From, Most Likely, From This List. But At A Minimum, We Will Keep People Within This General Realm." HANNITY: "You are a constitutionalist?" TRUMP: "Correct. Correct. And I'm also -- I want high intellect. I want great intellect. These people are all of very high, high intellect. They're pro-life. And -- so that's my list. And we are going to choose from, most likely, from this list. But at a minimum, we will keep people within this general realm. And again, I have a lot of people that are conservative that really like me, love everything I stand for, but they really would like to know my view because perhaps outside of the defense of our country, perhaps the single most important thing the next president is going to have to do is pick Supreme Court justices. " [Hannity, Fox News, 5/18/16]
Trump Said He May Add Additional Names To His List Of Potential Supreme Court Justices. TRUMP: "My list of potential U.S. Supreme Court Justices was very well recieved. During the next number of weeks I may be adding to the list!" [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/18/16
]
Trump's List Of Potential Supreme Court Justices Included: Steven Colloton Of Iowa, Allison Eid Of Colorado, Raymond Gruender, Thomas Hardiman Of Pennsylvania, Raymond Kethledge Of Michigan, Joan Larsen Of Michigan, Thomas Lee Of Utah, William Pryor Of Alabama, David Stras Of Minnesota, Diane Sykes Of Wisconsin And Don Willett Of Texas. "Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has released a list of 11 potential Supreme Court justices he plans to vet to fill the seat of late Justice Antonin Scalia. Trump's picks include Steven Colloton of Iowa, Allison Eid of Colorado and Raymond Gruender of Missouri. Also on the list are: Thomas Hardiman of Pennsylvania, Raymond Kethledge of Michigan, Joan Larsen of Michigan, Thomas Lee of Utah, William Pryor of Alabama, David Stras of Minnesota, Diane Sykes of Wisconsin and Don Willett of Texas. Trump said in March he planned to release the list of potential nominees to ease concerns about his conservative credentials in the Republican primary." [Associated Press, 5/18/16
]
President George W. Bush Nominated Colloton To Serve On The Eighth Circuit On February 12, 2003. [Federal Judicial Center, accessed 3/31/16
]
*         The Senate Confirmed Colloton To The Eighth Circuit In September 2003 by A Vote Of 94-1. [PN 343, Vote 327, 108th Congress, 9/4/03
]
2006: Allison Eid Was Appointed To The Colorado Supreme Court By Governor Bill Owens After Serving As Colorado Solicitor General. "Gov. Bill Owens nominated state Solicitor General Allison Eid to replace retiring Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis on the Colorado Supreme Court Wednesday, calling her 'a premier legal scholar with superb real world experience.' 'She will interpret the law as it is written, stand firm on legal principles and carry out her duties in a professional and collegial manner,' Owens said." [Associated Press, 2/15/06
]
President George W. Bush Nominated Gruender To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Eighth Circuit On September 29, 2003. [Federal Judicial Center, accessed 4/1/16
]
*         The U.S. Senate Confirmed Gruender By A Vote Of 97-1 As A Circuit Court Judge On The Eighth Circuit On May 20, 2004. [PN 975, Vote 102, 108th Congress, 5/20/04
]
2003: The Bush White House Appointed Hardiman To The Federal Bench. "The White House tapped Pittsburgh attorney Thomas A. Hardiman on Wednesday to fill one of two vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania's western district. The White House nomination of Hardiman, a 37-year-old civil trial lawyer and partner at Reed Smith LLP, was sent to the Senate on Wednesday morning. But it could be months before the Senate Judiciary Committee considers confirming Hardiman for the U.S. District Court judgeship." [Associated Press, 4/9/03]
2008: Raymond Kethledge Was Confirmed To The United States Court Of Appeals For The Sixth Circuit. "Raymond M. Kethledge, Michigan. Born: 1966. Position: United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Background: Mr. Kethledge, confirmed months before Mr. Bush left office, worked as a clerk for Justice Anthony Kennedy. Earlier this year, he authored a decision ordering the Internal Revenue Service to provide information about tax-exempt applications as part of a Tea Party lawsuit that accused the agency of unfairly targeting conservatives." [New York Times, 5/18/16
]
Joan Larsen Was On The Michigan Supreme Court And Served As Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General During The Bush Administration. "In a press conference today, Governor Rick Snyder officially announced his appointment of University of Michigan legal professor Joan Larsen to the Michigan Supreme Court. From January 2002 through May 2003, Larsen served as deputy assistant U.S. attorney general in the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel. During her tenure, the OLC weakened the rule of law by issuing several legal opinions authorizing torture, indefinite detention, warrantless wiretapping, and other abuses of power. While it's unclear the general role Larsen played in crafting policies, the ACLU has learned through ongoing litigation that Larsen co-authored a secret memo in March 2002 regarding detainees' right to habeas corpus, the constitutional right to challenge one's detention in a court of law." [ACLU of Michigan, 10/1/15
]
Thomas Lee Was Appointed In 2010 To Be An Associate Justice Of The Utah Supreme Court. "Thomas R. Lee was appointed to the Utah Supreme Court by Governor Gary Herbert in July 2010. He currently serves as Associate Chief Justice and as a member of the Utah Judicial Council. He also chaired the Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Professionalism and Civility during a time in which the court promulgated Standards of Professionalism and Civility for judges in Utah. Justice Lee is a graduate, with high honors, of the University of Chicago Law School. After law school, he served as a law clerk for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, III, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and then for Justice Clarence Thomas of the United States Supreme Court. Justice Lee then joined the law firm now known as Parr, Brown, Gee & Loveless, where he became a shareholder. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Justice Lee was a full-time professor at the law school at Brigham Young University, where he continues to serve as Distinguished Lecturer. During his years as a full-time law professor, he maintained a part-time intellectual property litigation practice with Howard, Phillips, & Andersen. He also developed a part-time appellate practice, arguing numerous cases in federal courts throughout the country and in the United States Supreme Court. In 2004 - 05, Justice Lee served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. 1/15" [Utah State Court System, accessed 5/18/16
]
Pryor Served As Alabama's Attorney General From 1997 To 2004. "Judge Pryor, appointed to the court in 2004, was President George W. Bush's only appointee to the Eleventh Circuit. Prior to taking the bench, Judge
Pryor served as Alabama's Attorney General from 1997 to 2004." [Alliance For Justice, 2/20/14
]
*         President George W. Bush Nominated Pryor To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Eleventh Circuit On April 9, 2003. [Federal Judicial Center, accessed 3/24/16
]
*
*         2010: Tim Pawlenty Appointed David Stras To The Minnesota Supreme Court At The Age Of 35. "Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday elevated Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea to be chief justice just eight days after Gildea had published a strong dissent taking Pawlenty's side in the unallotment case. Awkward. Pawlenty simultaneously appointed Law David Stras as an associate justice. Stras is just 35." [Minnesota Post, 5/14/10
]
President George W. Bush Nominated Sykes To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Seventh Circuit On November 14, 2003. [Federal Judicial Center, accessed 3/24/16
]
*         The U.S. Senate Confirmed Sykes By A Vote Of 70-27 As A Circuit Court Judge Of The Seventh Circuit On June 24, 2004. [PN 1109, Vote 152, 108th Congress, 6/24/2004
]
Governor Rick Perry Appointed Willett To Serve On The Supreme Court Of Texas On August 24, 2005. [Texas Courts, accessed 4/2/16
]