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2020 Election Live Updates: Trump Returns to Where He’s Mostly Been on Coronavirus: Denying Reality 2020 Election Live Updates: Trump Returns to Where He’s Mostly Been on Coronavirus: Denying Reality
(32 minutes later)
Last week, President Trump raised Republican hopes for a major course correction on the coronavirus when he canceled the G.O.P. convention in Jacksonville, Fla., and urged Americans more clearly than in the past to wear masks in public. No matter how many times Mr. Trump proves himself incapable of changing political stripes, the notion that he might seems to persist.Last week, President Trump raised Republican hopes for a major course correction on the coronavirus when he canceled the G.O.P. convention in Jacksonville, Fla., and urged Americans more clearly than in the past to wear masks in public. No matter how many times Mr. Trump proves himself incapable of changing political stripes, the notion that he might seems to persist.
Not so amazingly, his sober posture did not last.Not so amazingly, his sober posture did not last.
On Monday, Mr. Trump began the week with an emphatic reassertion of his core instincts, heralding a speedy economic comeback underway (a description not rooted in reality), insisting his polling shows him well ahead of Joseph R. Biden Jr. in swing-state battlegrounds (it does not), and again pressuring governors to speed up a return to normal business in their states. It was a performance that underscored once more that when it comes to the defining issue of the election, Mr. Trump is mostly choosing to inhabit an alternate reality in which recovery is right around the corner.On Monday, Mr. Trump began the week with an emphatic reassertion of his core instincts, heralding a speedy economic comeback underway (a description not rooted in reality), insisting his polling shows him well ahead of Joseph R. Biden Jr. in swing-state battlegrounds (it does not), and again pressuring governors to speed up a return to normal business in their states. It was a performance that underscored once more that when it comes to the defining issue of the election, Mr. Trump is mostly choosing to inhabit an alternate reality in which recovery is right around the corner.
“I really do believe a lot of the governors should be opening up states that they’re not opening,” Mr. Trump told reporters. Late Monday, tweeting that “markets would crash and cities would burn” if Mr. Biden were elected, he said that “we will beat the Virus, soon, and go on to the Golden Age.” He also retweeted a series of misleading claims about the coronavirus, including a Breitbart video that contained misinformation about the pandemic and has since been removed by social platforms.“I really do believe a lot of the governors should be opening up states that they’re not opening,” Mr. Trump told reporters. Late Monday, tweeting that “markets would crash and cities would burn” if Mr. Biden were elected, he said that “we will beat the Virus, soon, and go on to the Golden Age.” He also retweeted a series of misleading claims about the coronavirus, including a Breitbart video that contained misinformation about the pandemic and has since been removed by social platforms.
By declining to grapple with the real conditions of the virus and the economy, President Trump is not only cleaving himself apart from most voters and their anxieties and needs — a serious enough problem in an election year. He is also effectively ceding the debate over managing and rebuilding from the pandemic to Mr. Biden, who has been gradually rolling out a series of public health and economic aid plans more or less unchallenged by the president.By declining to grapple with the real conditions of the virus and the economy, President Trump is not only cleaving himself apart from most voters and their anxieties and needs — a serious enough problem in an election year. He is also effectively ceding the debate over managing and rebuilding from the pandemic to Mr. Biden, who has been gradually rolling out a series of public health and economic aid plans more or less unchallenged by the president.
Mr. Biden will announce the latest component of those plans in a speech on Tuesday addressing structural racism in the economy, a subject on which Mr. Trump has had nothing to say.Mr. Biden will announce the latest component of those plans in a speech on Tuesday addressing structural racism in the economy, a subject on which Mr. Trump has had nothing to say.
Mr. Biden on Tuesday plans to unveil the capstone to his sweeping economic recovery plan with a speech that outlines his vision to combat systemic racism and to “advance racial economic equity in America,” his campaign said on Monday. Mr. Biden on Tuesday plans to unveil the capstone to his sweeping economic recovery plan with a speech that outlines his vision to “advance racial economic equity in America,” according to his campaign.
The moment offers Mr. Biden a chance to detail a clear, positive message on racial justice, and to cut another sharp contrast with his opponent, Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly made incendiary remarks on that issue. Mr. Biden will deliver his address in Wilmington, Del., at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Biden will deliver his address in Wilmington, Del., on Tuesday afternoon, where he is expected to sketch out how fighting systemic racism is integral to a range of his economic proposals, from housing to infrastructure to supporting small businesses, senior campaign officials said during a morning briefing with the news media.
The plan is the fourth plank of his “Build Back Better” proposal, an economic agenda that also encompasses manufacturing, climate and caregiving proposals and takes aim at Mr. Trump’s stewardship of the economy and his impact on working families. The moment offers Mr. Biden a chance to detail a clear, positive message on racial justice, and to cut another sharp contrast with his opponent, Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly taken incendiary actions on that issue at a moment of national crisis over racism and police violence.
In recent months, as the country has grappled with devastating public health and economic problems and a growing outcry over racial injustice, Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has increasingly called for ambitious measures to address the nation’s towering challenges, going far beyond the instincts toward relatively incremental change that guided him in the primary, at least compared to many of his Democratic opponents. As he seeks to unite his party around his candidacy, he has sought input from a broader range of experts and officials, including from a series of task forces assembled with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, his progressive primary rival.
Ahead of the speech, the Biden campaign released a policy plan on racial equity that touches on a variety of issues. The plan emphasizes support for small business owners of color, promising that Mr. Biden will “leverage more than $150 billion in new capital and opportunities for small businesses that have been structurally excluded for generations,” including by increasing access to venture capital and low-interest business loans.
Mr. Biden’s plan sets a goal of increasing federal contracting with small disadvantaged businesses, and it says he will seek to improve the opportunity zone program that was enacted as part of the 2017 tax overhaul. The plan also calls for helping states improve their criminal justice data infrastructure so they can automatically seal criminal records for certain nonviolent offenders.
On the call with reporters, which was conducted on the condition of anonymity, a senior campaign official said in response to a question that Mr. Biden “doesn’t have a problem with the study” of reparations, but is focused on more immediate actions. Another official said that Mr. Biden was not ruling out support for a “baby bonds” program — a government-run savings program for children championed during the primary by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey — but favored a pilot first.
Mr. Biden’s plan is the fourth plank of his “Build Back Better” proposal, an economic agenda that also encompasses manufacturing, climate and infrastructure, and caregiving plans, and takes aim at Mr. Trump’s stewardship of the economy and his impact on working families.
In contrast to the plans Mr. Biden outlined in recent weeks, which focused on major changes to certain sectors of the American economy, the proposal he is set to unveil on Tuesday is a broader effort that aims to emphasize the idea that racial justice is core to his overall policy vision.
A number of the policies highlighted in his proposal were already announced as part of other plans, like a housing proposal that would provide a tax credit of up to $15,000 for first-time home buyers, or a goal that disadvantaged communities receive 40 percent of the benefits of spending on clean energy infrastructure.
Mr. Trump’s campaign has routed nearly $170 million in spending through various firms headed or created by its former campaign manager, Brad Parscale, and other campaign officials, and a campaign watchdog said in a formal complaint on Tuesday that the payments were a “laundering” effort to hide the ultimate destination of the funds.Mr. Trump’s campaign has routed nearly $170 million in spending through various firms headed or created by its former campaign manager, Brad Parscale, and other campaign officials, and a campaign watchdog said in a formal complaint on Tuesday that the payments were a “laundering” effort to hide the ultimate destination of the funds.
The accusation, made by the Campaign Legal Center to the Federal Election Commission, said that by using the Parscale-linked firm American Made Media Consultants, the Trump campaign has kept hidden the names of some vendors and adviser being paid by the campaign, including the president’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr.The accusation, made by the Campaign Legal Center to the Federal Election Commission, said that by using the Parscale-linked firm American Made Media Consultants, the Trump campaign has kept hidden the names of some vendors and adviser being paid by the campaign, including the president’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr.
“This scheme flies in the face of transparency requirements mandated by federal law, and it leaves voters and donors in the dark about where the campaign’s funds are actually going,” said Trevor Potter, the president of the Campaign Legal Center and a former F.E.C. chairman. “This secrecy could also disguise other campaign finance violations, but we don’t know, because the campaign isn’t disclosing these routed payments.”“This scheme flies in the face of transparency requirements mandated by federal law, and it leaves voters and donors in the dark about where the campaign’s funds are actually going,” said Trevor Potter, the president of the Campaign Legal Center and a former F.E.C. chairman. “This secrecy could also disguise other campaign finance violations, but we don’t know, because the campaign isn’t disclosing these routed payments.”
The complaint cites several companies that do business with the Trump campaign and its shared committees with the Republican National Committee, which do not appear on F.E.C. disclosures.The complaint cites several companies that do business with the Trump campaign and its shared committees with the Republican National Committee, which do not appear on F.E.C. disclosures.
For instance, Federal Communications Commission records show that the media-buying firm Harris Sikes Media has executed some of Mr. Trump’s ad purchases, but the campaign has reported no payments to that firm in 2019 and 2020, the complaint says.For instance, Federal Communications Commission records show that the media-buying firm Harris Sikes Media has executed some of Mr. Trump’s ad purchases, but the campaign has reported no payments to that firm in 2019 and 2020, the complaint says.
F.E.C. complaints typically take years to resolve but could set important precedents for disclosure in the future.F.E.C. complaints typically take years to resolve but could set important precedents for disclosure in the future.
Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for Mr. Trump’s campaign, said that A.M.M.C. “builds efficiencies and saves the campaign money by providing these in-house services that otherwise would be done by outside vendors.” He said that the firm “does not earn any commissions or fees” and that the campaign “complies with all campaign finance laws and FEC regulations.”Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for Mr. Trump’s campaign, said that A.M.M.C. “builds efficiencies and saves the campaign money by providing these in-house services that otherwise would be done by outside vendors.” He said that the firm “does not earn any commissions or fees” and that the campaign “complies with all campaign finance laws and FEC regulations.”
Vice News was first to report on the complaint.Vice News was first to report on the complaint.
Senator David Perdue of Georgia’s re-election campaign was assailed on Monday for a Facebook advertisement that enlarged the nose of his Democratic opponent, Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish, in a portrayal that critics immediately denounced as anti-Semitic.Senator David Perdue of Georgia’s re-election campaign was assailed on Monday for a Facebook advertisement that enlarged the nose of his Democratic opponent, Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish, in a portrayal that critics immediately denounced as anti-Semitic.
The Republican senator’s fund-raising ad, which surfaced after The Forward published an article about it on Monday, included grainy photographs of Mr. Ossoff and the Senate minority leader, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, who is also Jewish. “Democrats are trying to buy Georgia!” the ad said, adding that Mr. Schumer had poured millions of dollars into the race.The Republican senator’s fund-raising ad, which surfaced after The Forward published an article about it on Monday, included grainy photographs of Mr. Ossoff and the Senate minority leader, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, who is also Jewish. “Democrats are trying to buy Georgia!” the ad said, adding that Mr. Schumer had poured millions of dollars into the race.
Mr. Perdue’s campaign said on Monday that the ad had been taken down and that the alteration had been an outside vendor’s error.Mr. Perdue’s campaign said on Monday that the ad had been taken down and that the alteration had been an outside vendor’s error.
But critics said that it reflected something more insidious, arguing that the campaign had employed imagery long used to malign Jews at a time when a rising tide of anti-Semitism in the country has seeped into politics. On Twitter, the political advocacy arm of Bend the Arc, a progressive Jewish organization, called it blatant: “It’s not an accident.”But critics said that it reflected something more insidious, arguing that the campaign had employed imagery long used to malign Jews at a time when a rising tide of anti-Semitism in the country has seeped into politics. On Twitter, the political advocacy arm of Bend the Arc, a progressive Jewish organization, called it blatant: “It’s not an accident.”
Mr. Ossoff urged Mr. Perdue to apologize to the Jewish community.Mr. Ossoff urged Mr. Perdue to apologize to the Jewish community.
“This is the oldest, most obvious, least original anti-Semitic trope in history,” Mr. Ossoff said in a statement on Monday night. “Senator, literally no one believes your excuses.”“This is the oldest, most obvious, least original anti-Semitic trope in history,” Mr. Ossoff said in a statement on Monday night. “Senator, literally no one believes your excuses.”
Mr. Perdue’s campaign contended that the senator had a demonstrated legislative history of opposing religious and racial discrimination. “Obviously, this was accidental,” the campaign said in a statement, describing it as an “unintentional error” caused by resizing and filtering the original image, a 2017 photograph from Reuters.Mr. Perdue’s campaign contended that the senator had a demonstrated legislative history of opposing religious and racial discrimination. “Obviously, this was accidental,” the campaign said in a statement, describing it as an “unintentional error” caused by resizing and filtering the original image, a 2017 photograph from Reuters.
“Anybody who implies that this was anything other than an inadvertent error,” the campaign said, “is intentionally misrepresenting Senator Perdue’s strong and consistent record of standing firmly against anti-Semitism and all forms of hate.”“Anybody who implies that this was anything other than an inadvertent error,” the campaign said, “is intentionally misrepresenting Senator Perdue’s strong and consistent record of standing firmly against anti-Semitism and all forms of hate.”
The Democratic National Convention next month in Milwaukee will be mostly virtual, and for the extremely small number of people who attend — about 300 — it will require daily tests for the coronavirus. The Democratic National Convention next month in Milwaukee will be mostly virtual, and for the extremely small number of people who attend — about 300 — it will require daily tests for the coronavirus.
But that isn’t stopping Mr. Biden’s campaign from asking donors to contribute big bucks.But that isn’t stopping Mr. Biden’s campaign from asking donors to contribute big bucks.
In a private briefing last week for some of the Biden campaign’s top bundlers of campaign contributions, donors were pitched on the various offerings for top contributors to the convention.In a private briefing last week for some of the Biden campaign’s top bundlers of campaign contributions, donors were pitched on the various offerings for top contributors to the convention.
The Biden campaign laid out three tiers: “Senatorial” for those who gave at least $50,000 or raised $100,000 from others; “Vice Presidential” for those who contributed $100,000 or raised $250,000; and “Presidential” for $250,000 givers and $500,000 raisers.The Biden campaign laid out three tiers: “Senatorial” for those who gave at least $50,000 or raised $100,000 from others; “Vice Presidential” for those who contributed $100,000 or raised $250,000; and “Presidential” for $250,000 givers and $500,000 raisers.
Each tier comes with its own set of goodies and exclusive access, with all levels receiving “afternoon briefings” and other “daytime content,” as well as access to a “post-gavel celebration.” But it will take a quarter-million dollars or more for a “premium convention welcome kit” as well as the “taste of the trail” package, though it is not clear exactly what those contain.Each tier comes with its own set of goodies and exclusive access, with all levels receiving “afternoon briefings” and other “daytime content,” as well as access to a “post-gavel celebration.” But it will take a quarter-million dollars or more for a “premium convention welcome kit” as well as the “taste of the trail” package, though it is not clear exactly what those contain.
The Republicans had been furiously raising money to host a convention celebration in Jacksonville, Fla., until last week, when Mr. Trump reversed course after growing concerns about safety and the coronavirus. The party had asked couples to give up to nearly $1.2 million, though that package was intended for a in-person convention that has since been scrapped.The Republicans had been furiously raising money to host a convention celebration in Jacksonville, Fla., until last week, when Mr. Trump reversed course after growing concerns about safety and the coronavirus. The party had asked couples to give up to nearly $1.2 million, though that package was intended for a in-person convention that has since been scrapped.
On March 18, Mr. Trump declared himself a wartime president against “the invisible enemy” of the coronavirus and invoked the Defense Production Act. Now he’s facing a downside of presiding over a war: American casualties.On March 18, Mr. Trump declared himself a wartime president against “the invisible enemy” of the coronavirus and invoked the Defense Production Act. Now he’s facing a downside of presiding over a war: American casualties.
Covid-19 has taken the lives of almost 150,000 Americans, many more than have died in recent wars combined. Data from over 328,692 interviews in 3,025 counties across the nation suggests that coronavirus-related deaths, like casualties of war, are hurting the president’s approval rating and may cost him and his party votes.Covid-19 has taken the lives of almost 150,000 Americans, many more than have died in recent wars combined. Data from over 328,692 interviews in 3,025 counties across the nation suggests that coronavirus-related deaths, like casualties of war, are hurting the president’s approval rating and may cost him and his party votes.
The gap between stated voting support for Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden grows by about 2.5 percentage points in Mr. Biden’s favor when a county has extremely high levels of coronavirus-related deaths relative to when it has low levels.The gap between stated voting support for Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden grows by about 2.5 percentage points in Mr. Biden’s favor when a county has extremely high levels of coronavirus-related deaths relative to when it has low levels.
Republicans running for the House and the Senate lose just as much support as Mr. Trump does when deaths rise locally.Republicans running for the House and the Senate lose just as much support as Mr. Trump does when deaths rise locally.
Research shows that when people are killed in action during wartime, residents of the place the victims are from tend to hold elected leaders in Congress and the White House accountable. Political scientists have found this to be true for midterm and presidential elections during the Civil War, the Vietnam War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Coronavirus-related deaths seem to be having a similar effect.Research shows that when people are killed in action during wartime, residents of the place the victims are from tend to hold elected leaders in Congress and the White House accountable. Political scientists have found this to be true for midterm and presidential elections during the Civil War, the Vietnam War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Coronavirus-related deaths seem to be having a similar effect.
Twitter on Tuesday put limits on the account of Donald Trump Jr. after he shared a widely circulated video containing false medical claims about the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus, violating the company’s Covid-19 misinformation policies.Twitter on Tuesday put limits on the account of Donald Trump Jr. after he shared a widely circulated video containing false medical claims about the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus, violating the company’s Covid-19 misinformation policies.
Twitter said Mr. Trump, the son of President Trump, was required to delete the tweet with misinformation; the platform said it would also limit his account’s functionality for 12 hours.Twitter said Mr. Trump, the son of President Trump, was required to delete the tweet with misinformation; the platform said it would also limit his account’s functionality for 12 hours.
“The tweet you referenced was in violation of our COVID-19 misinformation policy,” a Twitter spokesman, Ian Plunkett, said. “We are taking action in line with our policy here.”“The tweet you referenced was in violation of our COVID-19 misinformation policy,” a Twitter spokesman, Ian Plunkett, said. “We are taking action in line with our policy here.”
On Monday evening, President Trump also posted a number of tweets linking to the same video with Covid-19 misinformation, which have since been removed.On Monday evening, President Trump also posted a number of tweets linking to the same video with Covid-19 misinformation, which have since been removed.
The video featured what appeared to be a group of doctors in white coats, standing in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. The doctors made a series of misleading claims, including that hydroxychloroquine could be taken to prevent getting the virus.The video featured what appeared to be a group of doctors in white coats, standing in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. The doctors made a series of misleading claims, including that hydroxychloroquine could be taken to prevent getting the virus.
It was the most recent example of the misinformation that has spread about the coronavirus, at times shared by the president and others in the White House. Facebook and YouTube removed versions of the video on Monday evening. But it racked up more than 16 million views on Facebook and was the second most engaged post of the day before it was taken down by the social network.It was the most recent example of the misinformation that has spread about the coronavirus, at times shared by the president and others in the White House. Facebook and YouTube removed versions of the video on Monday evening. But it racked up more than 16 million views on Facebook and was the second most engaged post of the day before it was taken down by the social network.
Attorney General William P. Barr will testify on Capitol Hill for the first time in more than a year, and Democratic lawmakers have a lot of questions in what could be one of the last high-profile sessions with a senior Trump administration official before the election.Attorney General William P. Barr will testify on Capitol Hill for the first time in more than a year, and Democratic lawmakers have a lot of questions in what could be one of the last high-profile sessions with a senior Trump administration official before the election.
Among the hot topics that Democrats want answers to: his intervention to recommend a shorter prison sentence for Roger J. Stone Jr., the longtime friend of Mr. Trump whose sentence was ultimately commuted by Mr. Trump; his recommendation to drop charges against the former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn; his handling of the Russia report by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III; his role in the violent clearing of peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square near the White House last month; and the administration’s plans when it comes to surging federal agents into Democratic-run cities.Among the hot topics that Democrats want answers to: his intervention to recommend a shorter prison sentence for Roger J. Stone Jr., the longtime friend of Mr. Trump whose sentence was ultimately commuted by Mr. Trump; his recommendation to drop charges against the former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn; his handling of the Russia report by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III; his role in the violent clearing of peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square near the White House last month; and the administration’s plans when it comes to surging federal agents into Democratic-run cities.
Those are just some of the topics expected to get an airing.Those are just some of the topics expected to get an airing.
He is appearing before the House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York. The socially distanced hearing begins later this morning.He is appearing before the House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York. The socially distanced hearing begins later this morning.
The Indian American Impact Fund, which supports political candidates from Indian backgrounds, will spend $10 million in this year’s elections.The Indian American Impact Fund, which supports political candidates from Indian backgrounds, will spend $10 million in this year’s elections.
The group announced its plans on Tuesday along with a new executive director, Neil Makhija, a public interest lawyer who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania’s law school.The group announced its plans on Tuesday along with a new executive director, Neil Makhija, a public interest lawyer who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania’s law school.
Indian-Americans are the second largest immigrant group in the United States, after Mexicans, and their political influence has been increasing significantly. In less than a decade, their representation in Congress has gone from one to five: Senator Kamala Harris and Representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi, all Democrats.Indian-Americans are the second largest immigrant group in the United States, after Mexicans, and their political influence has been increasing significantly. In less than a decade, their representation in Congress has gone from one to five: Senator Kamala Harris and Representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi, all Democrats.
Ms. Harris, whose parents are from India and Jamaica, is a leading contender to be Mr. Biden’s running mate, and would be the first Indian-American vice-presidential nominee if chosen. And last week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began running its first Hindi-language ad.Ms. Harris, whose parents are from India and Jamaica, is a leading contender to be Mr. Biden’s running mate, and would be the first Indian-American vice-presidential nominee if chosen. And last week, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began running its first Hindi-language ad.
“This is a pivotal moment for our community and our country,” Mr. Makhija said in a statement. “After significant gains in previous election cycles, Indian Americans are poised to assert our emerging power by electing more Indian American candidates at every level of government, and by supporting excellent candidates of all backgrounds who share our ideals of inclusivity, equity and civil rights.”“This is a pivotal moment for our community and our country,” Mr. Makhija said in a statement. “After significant gains in previous election cycles, Indian Americans are poised to assert our emerging power by electing more Indian American candidates at every level of government, and by supporting excellent candidates of all backgrounds who share our ideals of inclusivity, equity and civil rights.”
Mr. Trump almost never shows empathy in public, whether he is dealing with the loss of a family member, the deaths of nearly 150,000 Americans, more than 30 million people out of work or the racial unrest brought on by the killings of unarmed African-Americans by white police officers.Mr. Trump almost never shows empathy in public, whether he is dealing with the loss of a family member, the deaths of nearly 150,000 Americans, more than 30 million people out of work or the racial unrest brought on by the killings of unarmed African-Americans by white police officers.
Mr. Trump has exhibited this behavior all his life, friends and family members say. He learned it, they say, at home, particularly from his father, Fred Trump, a disciplinarian who spent hundreds of millions of dollars financing his son’s career and taught him to either dominate or submit. In Fred Trump’s world, showing sadness or hurt was a sign of weakness.Mr. Trump has exhibited this behavior all his life, friends and family members say. He learned it, they say, at home, particularly from his father, Fred Trump, a disciplinarian who spent hundreds of millions of dollars financing his son’s career and taught him to either dominate or submit. In Fred Trump’s world, showing sadness or hurt was a sign of weakness.
“The only thing that Trump ever cared about was he had this thing: ‘I’ve got to win. Teach me how to win,’” George White, a former classmate of Mr. Trump’s at the New York Military Academy who spent years around both father and son, said in an interview.“The only thing that Trump ever cared about was he had this thing: ‘I’ve got to win. Teach me how to win,’” George White, a former classmate of Mr. Trump’s at the New York Military Academy who spent years around both father and son, said in an interview.
Recalling Fred’s hard-driving influence, Mr. White said that Mr. Trump’s former school mentor, a World War II combat veteran named Theodore Dobias, once told him that “he had never seen a cadet whose father was harder on him than his father was on Donald Trump.”Recalling Fred’s hard-driving influence, Mr. White said that Mr. Trump’s former school mentor, a World War II combat veteran named Theodore Dobias, once told him that “he had never seen a cadet whose father was harder on him than his father was on Donald Trump.”
Mr. Trump’s father is still part of his life, said Andrew Stein, a former Manhattan borough president who has known the president for decades and has met regularly with him at the White House. Mr. Trump, he said, has often pointed up to the ceiling and referred to his father when they have been alone in the Oval Office. “He’ll look up to heaven, and say, ‘Fred, can you believe this?’” Mr. Stein said.Mr. Trump’s father is still part of his life, said Andrew Stein, a former Manhattan borough president who has known the president for decades and has met regularly with him at the White House. Mr. Trump, he said, has often pointed up to the ceiling and referred to his father when they have been alone in the Oval Office. “He’ll look up to heaven, and say, ‘Fred, can you believe this?’” Mr. Stein said.
Reporting was contributed by Davey Alba, Maggie Astor, Alexander Burns, Nicholas Fandos, Katie Glueck, Shane Goldmacher, Annie Karni, Katie Rogers, Rick Rojas, Charlie Savage, Lynn Vavreck and Christopher Warshaw.Reporting was contributed by Davey Alba, Maggie Astor, Alexander Burns, Nicholas Fandos, Katie Glueck, Shane Goldmacher, Annie Karni, Katie Rogers, Rick Rojas, Charlie Savage, Lynn Vavreck and Christopher Warshaw.