Officials from George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, just set the record straight on a “fake news” story by Politico about President Donald Trump’s “disinterest” when he visited the site last year.
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, which organized the trip which included the president, First Lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and French First Lady Brigitte Macron, took issue with the Politico report and its “third-party accounts.”
Politico’s Eliana Johnson and Daniel Lippman claimed in their article that Trump was not engaged and seemed to have little interest in the tour, citing anonymous “sources” who were not even present during the visit. And when the publication was called out, it chose to include the statement at the bottom of its article without any editor’s comments.
The article claimed that Mount Vernon president and CEO Doug Bradburn “was desperately trying to get [Trump] interested in” the historic landmark, and that Trump pointed out things that were wrong with the home of the first U.S. president, allegedly claiming he could have built a better house.
“If he was smart, he would’ve put his name on it,” the article claimed he said. “You’ve got to put your name on stuff or no one remembers you.”
According to Politico:
The president’s disinterest in Washington made it tough for tour guide Bradburn to sustain Trump’s interest during a deluxe 45-minute tour of the property which he later described to associates as “truly bizarre.” The Macrons, Bradburn has told several people, were far more knowledgeable about the history of the property than the president.
A former history professor with a PhD, Bradburn “was desperately trying to get [Trump] interested in” Washington’s house, said a source familiar with the visit, so he spoke in terms Trump understands best — telling the president that Washington was an 18th century real-estate titan who had acquired property throughout Virginia and what would come to be known as Washington, D.C.
Trump asked whether Washington was “really rich,” according to a second person familiar with the visit. In fact, Washington was either the wealthiest or among the wealthiest Americans of his time, thanks largely to his mini real estate empire.
“That is what Trump was really the most excited about,” this person said.
CNN breathlessly reported on the “stunning” Politico story, with Wolf Blitzer declaring Trump “revealed his own ignorance about U.S. history” as the article’s author was questioned about the details.
US President Trump paid a visit to Mount Vernon last year with French President Emmanuel Macron, and according to new details relayed by associates to Politico, the experience was “truly bizarre.” CNN’s Brian Todd reports. https://t.co/PQxylwpPLD pic.twitter.com/uM8wHDZ3CA
— CNN (@CNN) April 10, 2019
But Mount Vernon officials were not about to let the story slide, along with all of its “sources” who were no doubt not fans of Trump.
“Mount Vernon has a firm, long-standing policy of not commenting on the details of high-profile visits to the home of George Washington. However, we believe in the importance of ensuring that reports about events that take place at Mount Vernon are accurate,” the statement read.
“As such, we are concerned that the third-party accounts of the Trump-Macron visit released by several media outlets today do not correctly reflect the events that transpired nearly a year ago,” it continued, explaining how Bradburn and Regent Sarah Coulson escorted the group on the tour through the property last April.
“Comments pulled from sources who were not present for the tour do not properly convey the tone and context in which they were delivered,” the statement read, noting that “during the tour, all parties were interested and engaged in the story of George Washington and his beloved home,” and that “questions were asked by both leaders with curiosity and respect.”
Politico’s handling of the statement almost ensures that readers will be more focused on the original article than on the rebuttal of the facts as presented by Johnson and Lippman.
Twitter users reacted to the “fake news” and the rare statement from Mount Vernon.
Fake News: Politico’s Anonymous Hit Piece About Trump Being a Moron at Mount Vernon Was False https://t.co/Lm64BZc88c
— RedState (@RedState) April 11, 2019
Even if he did make a comment suggesting Washington should have put his name on it, it sounds like a funny joke. Obviously people remember who Washington was, and it would even seem to be a self-deprecating remark referring to Trump’s own property naming scheme.
— Azariah Wolf (@AzariahWolf) April 11, 2019
It pretty much was. The fact that they don’t normally comment, and we’re polite about the correction, speaks volumes about Mount Vernon’s restraint. If you believe that was not debunking the Politico story, then I cannot help you.
— Raindaddy ?? (@Raindaddy2) April 11, 2019
It’s getting ridiculous that we have to see this happen again and again.
— Brian Stuart (@OneMoreBrian) April 11, 2019
Wow!
So CNN, now synonymous for crap journalism & total bullshit lying – doubles down on their fast diminishing reputation with a 1-year old “he said” story about how Trump thought that Washington should have put his name on Mt Vernon.
The more you hate him, the more I love him
— Tony Camatto (@tonycamatto) April 10, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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