Trump lashing out at donors

[Matt]

A Frustrated Trump Lashes Out Behind Closed Doors Over Money https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/12/us/p ... pp3tJeEZK9

There was Paul Singer, the billionaire hedge fund manager who finances Republican campaigns and pro-Israel causes, and Warren Stephens, the billionaire investment banker. Joining them were Betsy DeVos, the billionaire former education secretary under Mr. Trump, and her husband, Dick, as well as the billionaire Joe Ricketts and his son Todd.

Some politicians might have taken the moment to be charming and ingratiating with the donors.

Not Mr. Trump. Over steak and baked potatoes, the former president tore through a bitter list of grievances.

He made it clear that people, including donors, needed to do more, appreciate him more and help him more.

He disparaged Vice President Kamala Harris as “retarded.” He complained about the number of Jews still backing Ms. Harris, saying they needed their heads examined for not supporting him despite everything he had done for the state of Israel.

At one point, Mr. Trump seemed to suggest that these donors had plenty to be grateful to him for. He boasted about how great he had been for their taxes, something that some privately noted wasn’t true for everyone in the room.

The rant, described by seven people with knowledge of the meal who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, underscored a reality three weeks before Election Day: Mr. Trump’s often cantankerous mood in the final stretch. And one of the reasons for his frustration is money. He’s trailing his Democratic rival in the race for cash and has had to hustle to keep raising it.

This is an unhinged man who clearly doesn't think he's going to win.

[Matt]

The initial post was about large donors. Here is a snippet (NYT) about how he's lying to small donors:

Since former President Donald J. Trump announced his 2024 candidacy, his campaign has promoted dozens of contests for supporters to win signed merchandise or “V.I.P.” trips to meet Mr. Trump. It has offered adherents myriad “exclusive” opportunities to join clubs to give counsel to Mr. Trump, and it has repeatedly claimed that Mr. Trump is personally reviewing lists of small donors.

But most of the contests seem to have no winners, and the campaign did not confirm or provide evidence that the club members have had any opportunity to advise the former president or that Mr. Trump is paying any attention to small donor rosters.

The New York Times looked at some 7,400 emails sent by the Trump campaign since Mr. Trump entered the presidential race. About one-third of the messages dangled an incentive to entice recipients to make a small donation.

Grifters gonna grift...

[craig11152]

Donald J. Trump took his seat at the dining table in his triplex penthouse apartment atop Trump Tower

The rant, described by seven people with knowledge of the meal who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations,

The problem I have with anonymous sources is never knowing if they actually exist. I don't hold news people on some pedestal of honesty.
How many people were at the dinner? Does " knowledge of the meal" mean they were present?

And before anybody accuses me of being a Trump supporter I will hold my nose and vote for Harris.

[TC Talks]

When there are 7 sources, it's pretty solid.

[Rate This]

Not only that but the whole thing indicates they know they are losing. They demoted Steven Chung and Karoline Levitt (two of his top communications people) today and brought Tim Murtaugh (?) back on… a throwback to 2020. That’s not the sign of a well oiled machine. I think they know something we don’t.

[TC Talks]

It's Trump, they were fired because he spilled ketchup on his favorite tie.

I wonder if all the aggressive fundraising this late in the game has to do with post election court and legal costs.

[Matt]

Not only that but the whole thing indicates they know they are losing. They demoted Steven Chung and Karoline Levitt (two of his top communications people) today and brought Tim Murtaugh (?) back on… a throwback to 2020. That’s not the sign of a well oiled machine. I think they know something we don’t.

This can't be true. I've heard he only hires the best people.