August 10th 2024.
In a recent interview with Politico, Nate Holden, a former Los Angeles city council member and California State senator, shared his harrowing experience of a helicopter ride with former president Donald Trump. According to Holden, the ride turned almost tragic due to a mix-up that occurred between him and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
Holden recounted that despite repeatedly asserting that he was not Brown, Trump continued to confuse the two of them. In an attempt to clarify, Holden even jokingly told Trump, "Willie is the short Black guy living in San Francisco. I'm a tall Black guy living in Los Angeles." But Trump didn't seem to get the hint, quipping, "I guess we all look alike," to the outlet.
The mix-up was brought to Holden's attention when he saw Trump's press conference on Aug. 8, where he once again repeated the story of the helicopter ride with Brown. However, Barbara Res, a former executive vice president of construction and development for Trump Casinos who was also on the helicopter, confirmed that it was indeed Holden, not Brown, who was on the ride.
According to The Washington Post, during the press conference, Trump also made false statements while trying to play up his relationship with Brown. It was also reported that Trump had a history of making misleading statements and lies, as well as a tendency to disparage Vice President Kamala Harris without any valid reason.
Trump claimed, "I know Willie Brown very well. In fact, I went down in a helicopter with him. We thought maybe this is the end. We were in a helicopter going to a certain location together and there was an emergency landing." He also repeated his baseless accusation that Brown had spoken negatively about Harris, which Brown has denied.
In response to Trump's claims, Brown forcefully denied both assertions and stated that he has never been in a helicopter with Trump. He also clarified that he would never speak ill of any woman in front of Trump. Res, who was also present on the helicopter, supported Brown's version of events and told Politico, "That's the story, OK? No Willie Brown."
Holden also spoke to Brown about the incident and confirmed that it was him, not Brown, who was on the helicopter with Trump. In an interview with Politico, Holden stated, "He either mixed it up or made it up. This was just too big to overlook. This is a big one. Conflating Willie Brown and me? The press is searching for the real story and they didn't get it. You did."
Trump's account of the helicopter ride has been refuted by multiple sources, including Brown himself, who called Trump's recollection "obviously wrong." In a phone call with CNN, Brown stated, "I've never been in a helicopter with him in my life."
This incident is just another example of Trump's habit of making false statements and trying to discredit his opponents without any evidence. It also highlights the importance of fact-checking and seeking the truth in the midst of political drama.
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