Courtesy of ABC 11:EXCLUSIVE: NC #GoldStar family receives $25,000 personal check, months after condolence call from @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. @ABC11_WTVD @ABC pic.twitter.com/eTUxCCgYMY— Jonah Kaplan (@KaplanABC11) October 23, 2017
The grieving family of a fallen American soldier received a $25,000 check from President Donald Trump on Monday, fulfilling a promise made months ago by the Commander in Chief during a condolence call.
Chris and Jessie Baldridge, whose son Dillon died in June in Afghanistan, spoke exclusively with ABC11 after the check was delivered via FedEx from President Trump's New York address to their home in Zebulon.
"I'm still speechless," Jessie Baldridge told ABC11's Jonah Kaplan. "We are so moved and grateful, and we promise to use the money to honor Dillon's legacy."
Here is the letter that the White House sent along with the check.
This is a real feel good story, after all presidents are certainly not expected to write checks to grieving families out of their own accounts.In letter to Baldridge family, shared only w/ @ABC11_WTVD, @realDonaldTrump says "I hope this will make things a bit easier." @ABCWorldNews pic.twitter.com/MFu2DpGlQK— Jonah Kaplan (@KaplanABC11) October 23, 2017
This could be real concrete evidence that Donald Trump is not the heartless megalomaniac that we all think him to be.
It COULD be that evidence. If it were not for this one nagging little detail.
A recent Washington Post article brought more attention to the offer - and the delayed response - prompting White House officials to issue a statement saying the check was in the mail.
"There is a substantial process that can involve multiple agencies anytime the President interacts with the public, especially when transmitting personal funds," a White House official said on October 18.
"The check has been in the pipeline since the President's initial call with the father. The President has personally followed up several times to ensure that the check was being sent. As stated earlier, the check has been sent." The check was dated for October 18, the same date the White House was asked about the check.
So riddle me this Batman. If there is a "substantive process," and the need for legal counsel to approve a donation like this, how did all of that get streamlined to get this check out on the EXACT same day that Trump was being criticized for not sending it in the media?
Because, and forgive me for sounding cynical, but it kind of sounds as if Donald Trump was NEVER really planning to send this check after he promised that he would, and ONLY did so due to media pressure.
"I AM GLAD"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/10/the_president_shouldn_t_be_writing_checks_to_the_parents_of_slain_service.html
GAG$
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Be-Fierce-Stop-Harassment-Power/dp/1478992735
"BE FIERCE"
Delete'Stop being enablers'
Antithesis to fierce. They couldn't have found a more pitiful wimpy spokesperson for this project. I hope more people have the balls to let the administration know.
Deletehttp://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356665-melania-trump-to-visit-detroit-middle-school-in-first-move-of-anti
Totally agree with your theory -- he got caught and acted immediately. He is known to not give what he promises. Washington Post did an article on that and writer got Pulitzer, I believe. He followed up on virtually every promise of donation and found maybe 1 that had been made. The man lies.
ReplyDeleteAnd, on another front --- why make this promise to this family? How are they more needy than every other family? why is he not making same donation to the family of every fallen hero? I bet many of them now feel "left out" and wonder why.
From any angle this act seems a bad idea, and maybe that is why he never delivered on that promise until caught not doing it.
The man is a loser in every way. Just can't think things through in a logical manner. NOT what any country should have as top official.
I wonder the same things, Anon.
DeleteWHY did he choose THIS family to write a check to? This smells but I don't know what it smells of. Something.
Trump chose this guy because he was the only lowlife who asked for money for his son's life. Trump is actually unable to interact any way except to bully, so he offered what he would want - money.
DeleteHasn't Trump figured out yet that most Americans see right through him? He no more intended to split w/his money than the man in the moon! That is - until it was discovered by the media he had not done as he had indicated! HE GOT CAUGHT (again)!
ReplyDeleteHe's a lying sack of shit - as always!
Did Trump pay on his Harvey pledge? Does anyone know?
DeleteThe father complained because he wasn't going to get the Army death benefit and Trump immediately wanted to be the big benefactor -- to seem generous, but totally forgot the minute the words escaped from his mouth.
ReplyDeleteInstead of immediately reaching for his checkbook and asking an aide to find the man's address, he has fallen back on some totally lame excuse that legal counsel had to approve the gift, three months after he offered it.
What a grifter.
And, yes, why isn't he giving out money to every grieving family? Are there other divorced parents who aren't going to receive the death benefit? Are they now going to ask for help? Where does it end?
Why doesn't he give money to the Puerto Ricans who need food and water?
Etc. Come on, Mr. Billionaire, cough up.
the man he gave it to. white. never to a black family, i'm sure. and the man can get a JOB.
Delete“His legal councel finally approved” means “ I got caught in another lie so here’s the check. Hope it don’t bounce.”
ReplyDeleteGood heavens! This Trump vs Corker fuss before the photo op meeting. It may be a change is coming for how people will talk about and to Trump. This may be a public trend.
ReplyDeleteHoly crap. 🤣🤣🤣
Someone threw a bunch of Russian flags at Trump in the Capitol building.
https://twitter.com/AynRandPaulRyan/status/922873700726087680
Folks age going bold with calling traitor et al. Great!! Make America great, don't hold back. http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/356899-protester-throws-russian-flags-at-trump-as-he-enters-gop-lunch#.We97Lk9VfuA.twitter
"Trump is treason!" Amp the volume and join the chorus.
More and more are going to be verbally reactive/abusive to the appearances of Trump and he'll probably hide more and more because of it!
DeleteHe's such a joke!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4A8nhFN4W0
ReplyDelete'Burden Of The Angel/Beast'
Gryph the answer is Trump is a LIAR. Legal counsel my ass. He can write a check to anyone he wants. The father BTW is a greedy maggot. The kid chose his mother as his beneficiary - I think we all know why. The father charged Trump $25K for his son's life. A maggot.
ReplyDeleteDonald Trump says he’s contacted all of the families of deceased soldiers since his inaugration and suddenly the White House is scrambling for a list and sending out condolence letters in rush delivery.
ReplyDeleteThe media exposes Trump’s empty promise and suddenly a check is cut. The letter makes an excuse that his lawyers have finally approved the funds. Really? Donald Trump has to get permission from his lawyers to send a personal check?
And there are still dumbass stupid Deplorables that believe this fucking moron.
Sometimes I do wish you had to pass an intelligence test to earn the right to vote. Would certainly eliminate a large percentage of the Republican Party.
I find it distasteful that the president of the United States feels the need to pay blood money for the death of a soldier. I would have returned the check or endorsed it to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Does Trump think that $25,000 will assuage a family's grief?
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
Hopefully the guy will hang on to it as bad history evidence, have it finger printed, dna tested and somebody buy it for $50,000+ Is the guy a drumpf voter?
DeleteThe Gold Star father told Trump his son’s ex wife was the listed beneficiary it he, the father, “did not have two nickels to rub together”. Trump responded telling the father he would send him $25K.
DeleteIt is not blood money nor singling out a soldier. Trump made an impromptu verbal gesture then did not send a check until the father told when asked if Trump called him when his son died.
The Father basically begged Trump for the money. He’s not going to give it up. He volunteered that story to the media as a way to pressure Trump into sending the money.
DeleteNevertheless, Anon at 2:18 pm, it sets a dreadful precedent. And the father should never have whined that he had no money; what was that all about? Was he looking for a handout all along?
DeleteBeaglemom
Ha! Story isn't over until the check clears.
ReplyDeleteI find it odd. There are so many families that have lost a love one, to war, to guns, how do you pick just one soldier or family to send money to? He picked one family, why? This is not a reality show or lottery.
ReplyDeleteSee my information above about the father complaining to Trump he did not get the death benefit money but the ex wife did.
DeleteGryphon, an update explaining why Trump offered to send him money would be helpful.
DeleteTrump was only running his mouth to look like a benevolent rich guy at the moment. He had no intention of actually sending any money to anyone. Even after he got called on it. One of his flunkies sent out taxpayer funds. CoS Kelly most likely.
DeleteDonald, rev up the check book. There are many lives lost in war. You will be paying through your shiny white veneers.
ReplyDeletesince when does dumpt give away money? for the media, period. this changes NOTHING.
ReplyDeleteHas the legal counsel approved any payments yet for Trump's pledged one million dollars in September to assist Texas victims of Hurricane Harvey? Does anyone know?
ReplyDeleteThese Trumpian "contributions" are all tax deductible when and if they occur. Is he going to buy off every American family that loses a child or husband to the country's need for warfare? What about those soldiers who lose limbs: is there a price per limb as well? That could get very expensive and, above all, degrading for the recipient families as well. There is no amount of money that can bring back someone who has died or make someone whole again. This was a typical Trump stunt - done without any thought or concern for the larger picture. His White House staff should never have allowed it to happen.
DeleteBeaglemom
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/24/politics/us-niger-ambush-isis-leader-intel/index.html
ReplyDelete""My judgment would be that that unit thought they could handle the situation without additional support," Dunford said. "And so, what we'll find out in the investigation [is] exactly why it took an hour for them to call."
"Armed French Mirage jets arrived about one hour later -- two hours after the troops made initial contact with enemy forces.
The official said the jets were authorized to strike but did not."The team's lack of experience on the ground may not have been a decisive factor in how the ambush took place, but it may have played a role in how the soldiers reacted once the firefight began, according to CNN military analyst retired Col. Steve Warren.
Their newness may have had an impact on how quickly the team called for support and the way evacuations were conducted,"
I bet the funds came out of that leftover inauguration money, not Trumps pocket.
ReplyDeletehttp://nypost.com/2017/10/24/gold-star-mom-i-felt-disrespected-by-obama/
ReplyDelete