Kamal Ghorui
Donald Trump defended a controversial fundraising email from a pro-Trump political action committee that used a photo from a solemn military transfer ceremony, brushing aside criticism and lashing out at a reporter who questioned him about it.Many people were outraged about the email, which used a photo from the dignified transfer that Trump attended last week while wearing a campaign baseball hat.The email, sent on Thursday by the pro-Trump PAC Never Surrender Inc., featured a photo of the president saluting a fallen soldier’s casket during last week’s dignified transfer ceremony for six US servicemembers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait. The message promoted a new “National Security Briefing Membership” and included several links asking supporters to donate, The Independent reported. In the email, recipients were told that members would receive Trump’s “private national security briefings” and “unfiltered updates on the threats facing America,” including warnings about foreign adversaries, border security and what the message described as “deep state sabotage” and media cover-ups. The use of the transfer ceremony image quickly drew backlash from Democratic lawmakers and veterans’ groups, who argued the moment should not be used for political fundraising.On Sunday, Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One for about 20 minutes on Sunday night, when an ABC News reporter confronted him about the email and asked whether it was appropriate. Trump said “I do” when asked if it was appropriate, and then attacked the reporter, Mediaite.com reported.REPORTER: Mr. President, your PAC put out a fundraising email a couple of days ago, and it’s being criticized for using official White House photos of you at the dignified transfer.And the PAC is also promising access to secret briefings–PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, I was at the dignified transfer, unlike a lot of other people.REPORTER: Do you think it’s an appropriate email to send–.PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I do.REPORTER: –your critics are saying you’re fundraising off–PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I didn’t see it. I mean, somebody puts it out. We have a lot of people working for us.But there’s nobody that’s better to the military than me. And all you have to do is look at the election. Look at the elections results. Look at kind of votes that we get. Look at all the numbers. There’s nobody who’s ever been higher as a president than me with the military, as per.Who are you with?REPORTER: ABC NewsPRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Wor- one of the worst, most fake, most corrupt–.REPORTER: Will you comment on the dead soldiers?PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: You know what ABC News, I think it’s maybe the most corrupt news organizations on the planet. I think they’re terrible.REPORTER: Can you give a comment on the soldiers?PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Okay, I don’t want any more from ABC.
