Republican front runner Donald Trump has kept his name in the headlines ever since announcing his candidacy for president last summer. In a surprising turn of events, Trump and the conservative friendly Fox News began a public feud with each other ever since the billionaire real estate mogul crossed paths with host and debate moderator Megyn Kelly. The feud reached its peak in January when Trump decided to ditch a planned debate, while hosting a charity for veterans instead.
Trump on vets
With Trump skipping the debate in Iowa, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ended up winning the primary in the Hawkeye State. Admittedly, Trump believes skipping the debate might have cost him the primary, but he wasn't willing to face off with Kelly as a moderator once again. As the debate was going on, Trump held a rally to benefit various veterans' groups, promising to donate everything raised at the event.
Raising over $6 million according to the campaign, Trump used the opportunity to pushback at his feud with Kelly and Fox News. Reports by CNN and the Daily Beast note that only $2.9 million have reached the charities, over 20 veterans groups in total.
The remaining $3.1 million can't be accounted for, something that Trump's adviser for veterans issues doesn't seem too worried about.
"I could ask, but it’s not high on my priority list,” Al Baldasaro said, who in addition to working for the Trump campaign, is also a state representative in New Hampshire. Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, also pushed back at the media for their investigation into the lost money, noting that donations will be delivered in time. Hick's accused the media of trying to "disparage Mr. Trump's generosity for a totally unsolicited gesture," and criticized them for not spending enough time "highlighting the work of these groups and how our veterans have been so mistreated."
Sandra Miniutti, the vice president of Charity Navigator, is, however, questioning the turn-around of the donations, as reported by CNN.
"There is no hard rule for turn-around time," Miniutti said, "But because the fundraising was so public, I think it's fair to question why the funds haven't been paid out."
Primary status
With 845 delegates to his name, the former host of "The Apprentice" is in a strong position to become the GOP nominee at the convention this summer. However, if Trump isn't able to secure the 1,237 delegates required, Cruz and Ohio Gov John Kasich could force a brokered convention, which many establishment leaders are already hoping takes place in Cleveland, Ohio this July.