Veterans Group To Trump: We Don’t Want Your Money
Source: Think Progress
Veterans Group To Trump: We Dont Want Your Money
BY ALICE OLLSTEIN JAN 27, 2016 1:23 PM
Donald Trump announced this week that he would boycott Thursdays presidential debate after Fox News refused to honor his request to cut moderator Megyn Kelly. Trump has claimed he will instead host a fundraiser for veterans and wounded warriors, but the Republican frontrunner has not specified exactly which groups he would be supporting. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America which represents 150,000 veterans across the country says they do not want his money.
On Wednesday, the founder and CEO of the IAVA publicly slammed Trump for what he sees as a cynical, political move.
If offered, @IAVA will decline donations from Trump's event. We need strong policies from candidates, not to be used for political stunts.
Paul (PJ) Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) January 27, 2016
Rieckhoff, who served in the Army in Iraq in 2003 and 2004, said Trump had not offered his organization any money so far, but insisted they would decline the funds.
The backlash was immediate, with a wave of online comments excoriating Rieckhoff for turning down the still-theoretical money. Youd be hurting the very people you claim to be helping, scolded one follower. You will deny needy veterans because of your political agenda? You should resign or be fired! cried another.
Others thanked Rieckhoff for standing up to a candidate they say has repeatedly used veterans as political props.
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Read more:
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/01/27/3743369/trump-veterans-iava/