New Hampshire State Rep. Al Baldasaro, R-Londonderry, had a moment in the national spotlight on Tuesday when he was invited to the microphone to defend Donald Trump during a Q&A session with the press. The topic was the $6 million Trump raised for veterans charities.
“When I raise money for the veterans and it’s a massive amount of money, see how much Hillary Clinton’s given to the veterans. It’s nothing,” said Trump. “I don’t want the credit but I shouldn’t be lambasted… not one penny did I take. That’s unheard of.”
Trump fielded a few more questions, saying that he’s the “only one in the world who could raise almost $6 million for the veterans, have uniform applause by the veterans groups and be criticized by the press.”
Several news outlets on Tuesday followed up on Trump’s donations to veterans organizations, pointing out that some of the donations raised in January by the presidential candidate were only now trickling in. The Washington Post reported that Trump had also donated $1 million of his own money, but just last week, and not during the original fundraiser, as he had stated at the time.
You can watch the press conference in its entirety above. Baldasaro, a retired Marine, is invited to speak at the 21:25 minute mark, just after Trump calls the political press “dishonest” and an ABC news reporter a “sleaze.”
Baldasaro asserts that Hillary Clinton and others use veterans “as political pawns,” adding that Trump is the only candidate “giving from the heart.”
“I think the liberal media – and I’ve been dealing with you a long time – need to get your head out of your butt, focus on the real issues,” Baldasaro said.
Among those charities that have received donations are Liberty House in Manchester, an outreach for homeless veterans, which received $100,000 from the Donald J. Trump Foundation.
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