Trump Biographer Mocks Donald Trump's Money Situation With A Brutal Reminder – HuffPost
Reporter, HuffPost
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist David Cay Johnston reminded CNN viewers on Tuesday of Donald Trump’s boast in 2015 that he was worth more than $10 billion.
After speaking with New York Times correspondent Shane Goldmacher about a story he did on Trump’s PACs spending around $50 million on his legal fees in 2023, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper asked Johnston if the four-times-indicted Trump could afford those bills if he wasn’t running for president.
“Anderson, you hit the nail right on the head there,” said Johnston, who wrote “The Making of Donald Trump” biography and “The Big Cheat: How Donald Trump Fleeced America and Enriched Himself and His Family” in 2016 and 2021, respectively.
“Remember Donald used to tell us he was worth $10 billion? He should be rolling in money if that’s the case. And evidently, he has to depend on begging for money from people.”
Johnston then mentioned a story Reuters published on Tuesday that reported how hotelier Robert Bigelow had given Trump $1 million to cover legal fees. Bigelow has also promised another $20 million for the Republican front-runner’s 2024 campaign.
“If you have $10 billion, this wouldn’t be a big deal,” Johnston said. “But if you don’t have $10 billion and you just claim it, that’s a whole other story.”
Last week, Trump was ordered to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defamation, adding to the $5 million a jury ordered him to pay her last year when he was found liable for sexual abuse after she accused him of raping her in the ’90s.
Watch Johnston’s comments on Trump’s money situation below:
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to having well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Reporter, HuffPost
Do you have info to share with HuffPost reporters? Here’s how.
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.