Danny McAuliffe
Republican President Donald Trump is continuing his political assault on Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee in Florida’s race for Governor.
The latest attack: Calling Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, a thief.
In a tweet fired off Monday, the President praised Ron DeSantis, the Republican gubernatorial nominee (and Trump-backed candidate), while repeating his continued claim that Florida’s capital city is “corrupt” and adding that its Mayor “is a thief” — an unproven embellishment.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1056922209111994373
Those associated with Gillum’s campaign immediately criticized the tweet.
“This is a disgusting lie,” tweeted Geoff Burgan, a former spokesman for Gillum and current media consultant for the campaign.
Gillum, via his Twitter account, also responded.
On Twitter there is a choice between having the courage to @ the person you are trash talking, or not. @realDonaldTrump is howling because he's weak. Florida, go vote today. https://t.co/I8uOokptJA
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) October 29, 2018
There’s no evidence suggesting Gillum, the state’s first African-American major-party nominee for Governor, has ever stolen anything.
On Monday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders was asked to clarify Trump’s claim that Gillum is a thief.
Sanders responded saying that Gillum is “under FBI investigation.” She didn’t go into details, citing the Hatch Act, which in part limits White House staffers from engaging in political activity.
Gillum’s campaign decried Sanders’ comments as “lies.”
“It’s simply wrong to say Mayor Gillum is under FBI investigation — he’s not under FBI investigation and the FBI has confirmed it,” said the Gillum campaign in a prepared statement.
During the final days leading to the Nov. 6 midterm, Gillum has been dogged by a steady trickle of documents that have revealed links to a two-year FBI investigation into government corruption in Tallahassee.
Gillum has not been subpoenaed by the FBI and contends he is not the target of the FBI’s inquiry. The documents are being distributed as part of an ongoing state ethics investigation separate from the FBI’s.
But nothing made publicly available has pointed to theft, and the Gillum campaign has denied any wrongdoing.
The first batch of records, released a week ago, suggested Gillum may have accepted a ticket to the musical “Hamilton” from “Mike Miller” — supposedly an undercover FBI agent posing as an out-of-state developer seeking to do business with the city of Tallahassee — while in New York.
Records released Friday linked Miller to Gillum’s political committee, Forward Florida. Another batch of records released on Monday detailed a 2016 dinner planned between Gillum and lobbyists.
Trump has a keen political interest in the outcome of Florida’s top-ticket races. He’s exercised his influence on U.S Senate candidate and Republican Gov. Rick Scott and endorsed DeSantis’ campaign before the Republican primary election.
The President will hold two rallies this week. The first in Fort Myers on Wednesday, followed by another in Pensacola on Saturday.
16 comments
Marion
October 29, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Socialism is theft.
Rick Fernandez
October 29, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Actually, no it isn’t. Look it up. Seek reimbursement for any education expenses you have incurred.
Juanito
October 29, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Yes, yes it definitely is.
Tango247
October 30, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Too funny. “Rick Fernandez” is the name of the Tallahassee City Manger fired for taking skybox football tickets and a significant discount from the same guy who texted Gillum about getting the Hamilton tickets. The guy who was Gillum’s campaign manager and owns the restaurant given 2.4 million in tax dollars after a vote by Gillum. Not saying he is a thief, but thieves think he is.
Fed Up
October 29, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Donald J. Trump is among the most pathetic individuals to ever have walked among us.
Tara Lynn Mals
October 29, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Donald Trump is a disgrace to America. The daily damage he continuous to do, the effect on our children, and the whole world is why he must immediately be impeached.
Patriot
October 29, 2018 at 3:22 pm
No Progressives are the most pathetic people among us and President Trump, he’s no Progressive!!!
H M
October 29, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Nope he is just a pathetic human being.
Marshall
October 29, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Even a five year old knows that taking something from somebody without consent is theft. Regardless if you plan on sharing what you stole with your friend. Maybe this basic common principle is exclusive to five year olds who had responsible engaged parents. It’s a shame that grown adults do not understand this principle, or do, but are too consumed with covetous greed/envy.
HM
October 29, 2018 at 5:56 pm
So then you have built your own roads?
You put out your own fires?
Built you own school?
Probably built your own hospital too, hunh?
James
October 29, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Someone needs to remind Trump, that it is members of his
Administration that have been charged & convicted of Crimes by Special Counsel Mueller
, not Gillum. Trump has been sued & found guilty of dubious business dealings & had to pay settlements, not Gillum ! Enough of Trump & the Republican lies.
How can one trust Republicans, when they continuously tell Provable Lies ?
I do not see any redeeming qualities in Trump !
Seber Newsome III
October 29, 2018 at 4:13 pm
GILLUM IS A THIEF AND A SOCIALIST AND WOULD RAISE TAXES, CREATE A STATE INCOME TAX, TAKE AWAY YOUR GUNS, LET OUT CRIMINALS FROM PRISON, ETC…
Tay
October 29, 2018 at 7:13 pm
So the black guy that’s up on your apprentice is a thief? Got it.
James
October 30, 2018 at 8:52 am
Don’t pay any attention to Trump, he is not well
he is suffering from the Aryan Flu with bigotry complications.
Eli Pier
November 1, 2018 at 2:07 am
Andrew Gillum is a sociopath. Likes underage boys. Manipulator. Racist who uses psychological projection to hide his hatred. Liar. Con artist. Dangerous man. Should not be in any position of power. Hates white people.
Fed Up
November 1, 2018 at 4:51 am
Apart from the “hates white people” you are describing tRump to a T. Did you go to tRump University? Your ability to mimic his style of acussing people of things he himself is, is rather good.
Comments are closed.