Trump: “Don’t Get Nervous”

Life is fragile and nothing’s forever. A bullet’s fraction in another direction and who knows what we’re discussing after Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, the 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, taken out by Secret Service.

This presidential race has entered a dramatic dimension (how the electorate responds) with the Republican national convention this week. In politics narratives matter. A fallen ex president, Secret Service swarms, Trump rising up with the presence to shout with a fist pump blood flowing on his face, “Fight” to the startled assembly.

At times like these, the situation dramatically different and safer, you recall things.

When I worked for Trump in the 1990s our meetings were often on the fly starting from his office in Trump Towers. I went in and discussion was like this:

“Come on, let’s go. I’ll show you a building I just bought. Prior to the Empire State Building it was the tallest.”

Off we went into the limo on Fifth Avenue in this case heading south on Manhattan island.

I’d fill Trump up on the comings and goings of casino expansion in Connecticut. I was his eyes, ears and mouthpiece. It was during his marriage to Marla Maples. As a client-consultant relationship no complaint here. He’d needle me about my monthly fee but the work was amicable, he was accessible and he kept me on board for a while beyond the casino stuff. He’d talk to me about running for president, but it was really more about building the brand and overcoming boredom.

So, we enter the tower and it was classic Trump. “Look at this place. I’ll show you around.”

Into the elevator we go. Door closes, Trump punches a floor destination. One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three. Nothing. He tries again. Nothing. He looks at me.

“Don’t get nervous, it’s an old building.” Finally, movement. Phew!

Trump responds to shooting:

I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

…Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.