Trump Outfoxes Fox News

Conventional wisdom has been off the mark during the 2016 election cycle for both parties. Donald Trump’s campaign was said to be doomed the day he announced his candidacy when he noted that there are illegal aliens who commit violent crimes and smuggle dangerous drugs into the country. And who believed that avowed Socialist Bernie Sanders would be competitive with Hillary Clinton?
Only two days before the televised debate in Iowa (4 days before the Feb. 1 Iowa Caucus), Trump announced that he would not participate in the debate because Fox News does not treat him fairly. He cited moderator Megyn Kelly’s combative statements in the first debate back on Aug. 6, 2015. Other campaigns and even Fox News President Roger Ailes taunted Trump, saying that if he can’t handle Megyn Kelly, how could he handle Russian President Vladimir Putin or the Iranians?
Media pundits immediately predicted that skipping the Fox News debate would knock Trump out of the lead in Iowa and send his campaign into a tailspin. Always thinking a step ahead, Trump launched a rival event at the same time as the debate at an auditorium on the Drake University campus less than three miles from the debate venue in Des Moines.
Trump’s Veterans Town Hall event was carried by rival cable networks CNN, MSNBC and C-Span as well as being streamed on-line by YouTube, Right Media and One America News Network. The absence of Trump in the Fox News debate resulted in ratings estimated at about half of the audience the network drew for its Aug. 6 debate in Cleveland.
The Veterans Town Hall was billed as a fundraiser for Veterans non-profit groups through the Donald J. Trump Foundation. Approximately $6 Million was raised within 24 hours, including a $1 Million contribution from Mr. Trump. If you are interested in the cause, you may make a contribution at DonaldTrumpForVets.com.
Addressing the packed auditorium at Drake University, Trump explained why he skipped the debate. “When you’re treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights,” he said. “And that’s what our country has to do!” He was joined at the event by rival Presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee, who were the winners in the last two Iowa caucuses.
Talk radio legend Rush Limbaugh expressed marvel over how Trump pulled the event off. He said he has never seen a candidate control the media or stand up to the political establishment like Trump has. He repeatedly defies conventional wisdom and sets his own rules.
At the Town Hall, Veterans took to the stage and revealed how they have been mistreated by the Veterans Administration (VA) and the hardships they and their families have endured. Trump has identified poor medical care access, drug abuse, mental health issues and homelessness as Veterans’ problems that must be solved quickly.
“Our Vets are being mistreated,” Trump told the audience. “Illegal immigrants are treated better in many cases than our Vets, and that’s not going to happen anymore!”
You can read Trump’s detailed plan for improving the Veterans Administration at DonaldJTrump.com. The plan calls for increased funding for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment, traumatic brain injuries, suicide prevention services, mental health counseling, job training and placement, educational support, expanded medical services for female Veterans and business loans. He has proposed giving Veterans smart cards to pay for private sector medical services.
The Trump Veterans plan also vows to hold VA managers more accountable and fire those who aren’t performing well. He will expect his VA managers to cut out waste, fraud and abuse and create a culture of excellent customer service.
At the Fox News debate several miles away from the Veterans Town Hall, it was obvious that Trump has shaped the discussion. Most of the candidates spoke about the need to improve the VA. All of the candidates emphasized the need to have secure borders. The candidates who had previously called for illegal aliens to have a pathway to citizenship are now just talking about a plan to give them legal worker status.
When this issue hits the stands, we will know which candidates won the Iowa Caucus in both parties. I believe Trump’s bold plan to skip the Fox News debate will elevate his status and that he will win in Iowa. The South Carolina Republican primary is Sat., Feb. 20.
John Steinberger is the former chairman of the Charleston County Republican Party, a leading Fair Tax advocate, and a West Ashley resident. He can be reached at John.steinberger@scfairtax.org.