Subject: DAILY UPDATE - 5/12/16
From: "Sullivan, Erin" <[email-masked]>
To: "Sullivan, Erin" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 12 May 2016 10:46:20 -0700

2016 DAILY UPDATE - 5/12/16

ROUNDUP

UPDATE

DONALD TRUMP ROUNDUP

FOUR PINOCCHIOS - TRUMP CLAIMS THERE'S "NOTHING TO LEARN" FROM TAX RETURNS: "Trump falsely claims that voters would learn nothing from his tax returns. To the contrary, voters would learn a lot of information that Trump has long tried to hide from the public. Tax returns would help lift a veil of secrecy about Trump's finances - and let voters know whether his claims about his wealth and charitable giving are true, or if he's just a bombastic man behind the curtain akin to the Wizard of Oz. Four Pinocchios." [Washington Post, 5/12/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/05/12/trumps-false-claim-that-theres-nothing-to-learn-from-his-tax-returns/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_factchecker-6am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory>]

TIM O'BRIEN: I SAW TRUMP'S TAX RETURNS AND YOU SHOULD TOO: "The tax returns my lawyers and I reviewed were sealed, and a court order prevents me from speaking or writing about the specifics of what I saw. I can say that Trump routinely delayed -- for months on end -- producing those documents, and when they finally arrived they were so heavily redacted that they looked like crossword puzzles." [Tim O'Brien, Bloomberg, 5/12/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-12/time-for-donald-trump-to-release-his-tax-returns>]

SAM CLOVIS CLAIMS HIS ECONOMIC PLAN WILL RESULTS IN $7 TRILLION BUDGET SURPLUS: "A top economic adviser to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said his policies would generate a surplus of as much as $7 trillion in a decade, a wildly optimistic estimate that's unlikely to pan out. In a sometimes bewildering explanation of Trump's agenda, Sam Clovis said Wednesday that increased economic growth would cover the vast majority of the cost of his plans, including a tax reform plan projected to cost $10 trillion over 10 years." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-economic-adviser-tax-plan-sam-clovis-223086>]

ECONOMISTS REVISING TRUMP'S TAX PLAN WOULD INCREASE TAX RATES ACROSS ALL INCOME LEVELS: "Conservative economists Larry Kudlow and Steve Moore, tasked by Donald Trump's campaign to revise his tax plan, have called their changes 'tweaks' but what they submitted to the nonprofit Tax Foundation for a new deficit score amounts to a dramatic rewrite of Trump's original plan. The new plan, compared against Trump's initial proposal, would increase tax rates across all income levels, dramatically reduce the number of people who would pay no income taxes at all and impose a new cap on charitable deductions for the wealthy." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/trump-tax-plan-revisions-223064>]

TRUMP CONSIDERING GINGRICH FOR RUNNING MATE: "Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been asking confidants for input on Gingrich as a potential pick, including during conversations Wednesday at Trump Tower in New York, according to a person familiar with the discussions.  The presumptive Republican nominee told the Associated Press that he has narrowed his vice presidential list to 'five or six' candidates." [Bloomberg, 5/11/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-05-12/donald-trump-said-to-weigh-newt-gingrich-for-vice-presidential-role>]

TRUMP CITES TECHNICAL "ERRORS" WHENEVER HE WARMS TO BIGOTS: "After Mother Jones reported on Tuesday that the Trump campaign had selected white nationalist leader William Johnson for its slate of California delegates, the Trump campaign at first claimed that the story was 'totally false.' But soon, Trump spokesperson Hope Hicks gave a different explanation: 'A database error led to the inclusion of a potential delegate that had been rejected and removed from the candidate's list in February 2016'... Trump declined to disavow an endorsement for former Klu Klux Klan leader David Duke... He later claimed that he couldn't hear what Tapper was asking. 'I was sitting in a house in Florida, with a bad ear piece,' Trump told NBC's Today show... close observers noted that the soldiers used in the image were in fact dressed as WWII-era Waffen-SS infantry. The Trump campaign deleted the tweet and told The Hill that an intern was at fault." [Mother Jones, 5/11/16<http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/trump-campaign-keeps-blaming-coziness-bigots-technical-errors>]

TRUMP SAYS HIS MANDATE IS TO BE PROVOCATIVE: "Mr. Trump, in a telephone interview, compared his candidacy to hit Broadway shows and championship baseball teams, saying that success begot success and that he would be foolish to change his behavior now. 'You win the pennant and now you're in the World Series - you gonna change?' Mr. Trump said. 'People like the way I'm doing.'...'I think I have a mandate from the people,' Mr. Trump continued." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html>]

BACK TO THE TOP

TRUMP DAILY UPDATE

5/11/16: Trump Said He Would Be Visiting Israel "Soon." QUESTION: "I heard that you will be visiting us here in Israel soon, before the election." TRUMP: "I'll be there soon." [Israel Hayom, 5/11/16<http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33659>]

HEADLINE: "Trump Claims Credit For Budweiser's 'America' Name Change." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/trump-claims-credit-for-budweisers-america-name-change-223053#ixzz48NnxTdg0>]

Trump On Budweiser's Rebranding: "They're So Impressed With What Our Country Will Become, They Decide To Do This Before The Fact." "At the start of Donald Trump's telephone interview with 'Fox & Friends,' co-host Steve Doocy transitioned from a story on Budweiser's temporary re-branding by asking the Manhattan real-estate mogul if his 'Make America Great Again' campaign slogan had anything to do with it. 'I think so. They're so impressed with what our country will become, they decide to do this before the fact,' Trump said." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/trump-claims-credit-for-budweisers-america-name-change-223053#ixzz48NnxTdg0>; Fox & Friends, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Claimed Obamacare Was A Fraud Because President Obama Said "28 Times To Be Exact" That You Could Keep Your Own Plan And Your Own Doctor. KILMEADE: "The ongoing, uh the ongoing lack of uh, lack of transparency with this administration it seemed, they're seven and a half years in, Donald Trump, they seem to be gloating about it." TRUMP: "Yeah, but you know it was a terrible deal. Because I've heard you talk about it, and I know it's a terrible deal and regardless. And it was, you know it's a fraud, okay, the whole deal was a fraud, but everything about it. So was Obamacare a fraud. Because he made the, you know, statement a hundred times or actually 28 times to be exact. That, you know, you can have your own plan, you can have your own doctor, the whole thing, he just kept going over and over. That was a total fraud too. There's so many things, it's, and it's almost impossible to believe you can't bring lawsuits over this kind of stuff." [Kilmeade And Friends, Fox News Radio, 5/11/16]

Trump Said President Obama's Health Care Promises Were "A Total Fraud" And "It's Almost Impossible To Believe You Can't Bring Lawsuits Over This Kind Of Stuff." KILMEADE: "The ongoing, uh the ongoing lack of uh, lack of transparency with this administration it seemed, they're seven and a half years in, Donald Trump, they seem to be gloating about it." TRUMP: "Yeah, but you know it was a terrible deal. Because I've heard you talk about it, and I know it's a terrible deal and regardless. And it was, you know it's a fraud, okay, the whole deal was a fraud, but everything about it. So was Obamacare a fraud. Because he made the, you know, statement a hundred times or actually 28 times to be exact. That, you know, you can have your own plan, you can have your own doctor, the whole thing, he just kept going over and over. That was a total fraud too. There's so many things, it's, and it's almost impossible to believe you can't bring lawsuits over this kind of stuff." [Kilmeade And Friends, Fox News Radio, 5/11/16]

Trump: "You Win The Pennant And Now You're In The World Series - You Gonna Change?... People Like The Way I'm Doing." "Mr. Trump, in a telephone interview, compared his candidacy to hit Broadway shows and championship baseball teams, saying that success begot success and that he would be foolish to change his behavior now. 'You win the pennant and now you're in the World Series - you gonna change?' Mr. Trump said. 'People like the way I'm doing.' He argued that he stood a better chance of inspiring voters in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania if he was his authentic self, rather than shifting from populist outsider to political insider to please a relative handful of Republican elites who are part of the establishment he has railed against for months. He said his huge rallies, where outbursts of violence and racist taunts have vexed many Republican leaders, and his attacks against adversaries on Twitter and in television interviews would continue because he believes Americans admire his aggressive, take-charge style." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html?referer=>]

Trump: "I Think I Have A Mandate From The People." "He argued that he stood a better chance of inspiring voters in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania if he was his authentic self, rather than shifting from populist outsider to political insider to please a relative handful of Republican elites who are part of the establishment he has railed against for months. He said his huge rallies, where outbursts of violence and racist taunts have vexed many Republican leaders, and his attacks against adversaries on Twitter and in television interviews would continue because he believes Americans admire his aggressive, take-charge style. 'I think I have a mandate from the people,' Mr. Trump continued, referring to his victories in 29 states, including Nebraska and West Virginia on Tuesday night. 'The people are tired of incompetent leadership at the highest level. They're tired of trade deals that are ripping our jobs apart and taking their wages.' Mandates are usually claimed after a presidential candidate wins a general election, not a party nomination, but part of Mr. Trump's style and strategy is to project a supreme confidence in himself and his popularity with voters. Several Republicans said they put little stock in his claim, arguing that he had won support from only a fraction of the electorate and that he had yet to prove he was worthy of leading the entire Republican Party, rather than just his fractious and highly visible wing." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html?referer=>]

Trump Explained His "Word Of Mouth" Campaign Strategy: "If People Love A Broadway Show, It's Better Than If You Write A Good Review. Word Of Mouth Is The No. 1 Thing. And The Word Of Mouth At My Rallies Is Like, 'You've Got To Go See It.' And, You Know, One Person Goes And They Talk About It To 20 People." "In a Broadway theater, the best, the best, absolute best sale is called 'word of mouth,' ' said Mr. Trump, who once dabbled in theater producing. 'If people love a Broadway show, it's better than if you write a good review. Word of mouth is the No. 1 thing. And the word of mouth at my rallies is like, 'You've got to go see it.' And, you know, one person goes and they talk about it to 20 people.' Over the coming weeks, Mr. Trump will offer policy speeches, including one on law and order, and another on judges - the latter being, in part, a response to conservatives who have said he cannot be trusted to pick Supreme Court justices. But Mr. Trump is reluctant to trade in pitchfork populism for something more demure. He was gleeful, in fact, that so much attention was being paid to his Capitol Hill meetings on Thursday. 'Somebody said the paparazzi is going crazy over that meeting,' he said." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html?referer=>]

HEADLINE: "A Federal Judge Has Ruled Documents In A Case Related To The Criminal History Of Former Donald Trump Business Partner Felix Sater Must Be Unsealed." [Associated Press, 5/10/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-05-10/judge-to-unseal-court-case-files-involving-trump-associate>]

A Federal Judge Agreed To Unseal 240 Court Documents Related To A Mafia-Linked Fraud Scheme Involving Former Trump Business Associate Felix Sater. "A federal judge agreed Tuesday to a request by The Associated Press to unseal about 240 court documents in a case related to the criminal past of a former business partner to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. U.S. District Justice Brian M. Cogan said he will decide within two weeks whether to unseal 38 other documents in the case. But Cogan said during a hearing in Brooklyn federal court that he was leaning toward keeping those private because their disclosure would 'deter cooperation and will jeopardize ongoing investigations.' The unusual case involves whether two lawyers should be held in criminal contempt for revealing details about the role of Felix Sater, a former Trump business associate, in orchestrating a Mafia-linked stock fraud scheme and his subsequent cooperation with the U.S. government." [Associated Press, 5/10/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-05-10/judge-to-unseal-court-case-files-involving-trump-associate>]

5/11/16: Trump Attended A Nassau County Republican Party Fundraiser. "Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made a rare appearance at party fundraiser on Wednesday, boosting a county GOP group while he is on the brink of dramatically expanding his own fundraising efforts. But if the Long Island, New York, event was meant to act as a sneak preview of what a newly honed Trump fundraising pitch will look like, it's clear the celebrity businessman does not plan to change his brash, showman-like approach... 'These are my people,' he declared to cheers from the approximately 2,000 people who paid $200 each to attend the Nassau County GOP's annual 'Patriots Reception' dinner. He boldly predicted he would be victorious this November in New York, a Democratic stronghold for generations." [Associated Press, 5/11/16<http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9bca2883ce284bdfa92a3a863881cade/trump-long-island-makes-fundraising-pitch>]

HEADLINE: "Donald Trump's Policy Problems." [Politico, 5/12/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trumps-policy-problems-223092>]

Politico: "Many Of His Proposals Are Either Unrealistic In Terms Of Executive Power Or Would Run Into A Brick Wall With Congress, Making A Trump Administration Borderline Impotent On The Very Issues That Are Driving His Supporters To The Polls." "Donald Trump rode a tidal wave of populism to the Republican nomination, but a President Trump would face a different reality: major limits on executive power and a stingy Congress that would block him at most every turn. POLITICO deployed its policy experts to study a week's worth of Trump commentary and decipher what he's saying, how his ideas would work and how far he could really go with positions that are unorthodox at best, and often heretical to his party's ideology. Here's what we found: Trump bounces across the political spectrum, sounding like John McCain on defense spending, Ross Perot on trade, Joe Biden on crumbling roads and bridges, and, well, Donald Trump on border security. He even has a little bit of Bernie Sanders in him when it comes to prescription drug prices. On other issues, like Common Core, his ideas are disconnected from reality, since the federal government doesn't have any say over the educational standards. But there's also a tougher takeaway on Trump's policies: Many of his proposals are either unrealistic in terms of executive power or would run into a brick wall with Congress, making a Trump administration borderline impotent on the very issues that are driving his supporters to the polls." [Politico, 5/12/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trumps-policy-problems-223092>]

Trade

HEADLINE: "Report: Trump Tariffs Would Be 'Catastrophic' For Poor." [Politico, 5/12/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/report-trump-tariffs-would-be-catastrophic-for-poor-223117#ixzz48SbppXff>]

National Foundation For American Policy Report: "Our Analysis Finds That The Trump Tariffs Would Manifest Themselves As A 30.5 Percent Increase In The Price Of Competing Domestic Producer Goods And Therefore, As A Cut In Real Wages." "Donald Trump's plan to get tough with China, Japan and Mexico could cost the average U.S. household more than $6,000 a year if carried to its logical extreme, with the burden falling hardest on households with the lowest income, according to a new report from the National Foundation for American Policy, which describes itself as a nonpartisan research group. 'We find that a Trump tariff proposal against all countries would cost U.S. consumers $459 billion annually and $2.29 trillion over five years,' David Tuerck and Paul Bachman, a pair of economists at Suffolk University in Boston, write in the report. 'Our analysis finds that the Trump tariffs would manifest themselves as a 30.5 percent increase in the price of competing domestic producer goods and therefore, as a cut in real wages.'" [Politico, 5/12/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/report-trump-tariffs-would-be-catastrophic-for-poor-223117#ixzz48SbppXff>]

The National Foundation For American Policy Found That 45% Tariffs On China And Japan, And A 35% Tariff On Mexico, As Trump Has Suggested, Would Cost The Average American Household Over $2,200 Annually. "The economists looked at two scenarios to arrive at their calculations. First, based on statements Trump has made in the campaign, they modeled the effect of a 45 percent tariff on imports from China and Japan and a 35 percent tariff on imports from Mexico. That would cost the average American household more than $2,200 annually with those households in the lowest income brackets feeling the greatest pinch. U.S exports to the three countries also would fall by about 78 percent as a result of the damage done by Trump's proposed tariffs to companies in China, Japan and Mexico that buy American goods, the report said. If the countries actively retaliated against U.S. exports, the impact would be even worse. However, tariffs on just three countries likely would be ineffective in protecting American workers from foreign competition because importers could simply turn to other suppliers, the economists said. So the team examined a second scenario in which a Trump-proposed tariff of 45 percent is applied to imports from all countries. 'Then the results would be truly catastrophic for the poor,' the report said. 'It would be as if the United States imposed a new tax of 53 percent on the lowest 10 percent income decile and a 20 percent tax on the next lowest decile. It would be the equivalent to an 11 percent flat tax on the after-tax income of U.S. workers.' The economists estimated the total burden on consumers from higher prices and reduced consumption opportunities would be about $760 billion annually." [Politico, 5/12/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/report-trump-tariffs-would-be-catastrophic-for-poor-223117#ixzz48SbppXff>]

Republican Criticism

Senator Mike Lee On Trump: "I Have Some Concerns With Him. He Scares Me To Death." "Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who had endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-TX) presidential bid, on Wednesday said that he could not support Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the presidential race. 'I have not supported Donald Trump up to this point, I have not endorsed him,' Lee said in a telephone town hall with constituents, according to the Washington Examiner. 'I have some concerns with him. He scares me to death; so does Hillary Clinton. There is no easy choice right now.' 'I'm going to continue to watch this,' Lee continued, according to the Examiner. 'I'll make the decision as best I can, but I'm not there yet.' While many Republican lawmakers have said they will support Trump as the Republican presidential nominee (often with hesitance), Lee took a similar approach to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), who has said he's not yet ready to back Trump." [Talking Points Memo, 5/12/16<http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mike-lee-trump-scares-me-death?utm_content=buffer4bdf4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer>]

Trump: "I Think That Somebody Like Lindsey Graham Will End Up Signing The Pledge, Because I Actually Think He Is An Honorable Person." TRUMP: "Well, they are dishonorable people. I mean, anybody that signs the pledge, I can think of Jeb Bush signed the pledge. And he is not going to honor it. So that's a dishonorable person. Now, I would imagine he will ultimately honor it because, you know, they wanted me to sign the pledge. Everybody wanted me. I was the big one that everybody wanted me to sign... You remember with the raising of your hand and the whole thing. So I ended up signing the pledge. And then these people, they don't honor it. I think that somebody like Lindsey Graham will end up signing the pledge, because I actually think he is an honorable person. And I think he will sign the pledge. I think that, Jeb, I don't know what he is going to do." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Said Jeb Bush Was "A Dishonorable Person" For Not Endorsing Him After Signing The Republican Pledge. TRUMP: "Well, they are dishonorable people. I mean, anybody that signs the pledge, I can think of Jeb Bush signed the pledge. And he is not going to honor it. So that's a dishonorable person. Now, I would imagine he will ultimately honor it because, you know, they wanted me to sign the pledge. Everybody wanted me. I was the big one that everybody wanted me to sign." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

HEADLINE: "Senate GOP Pressures Trump Over Supreme Court." [Politico, 5/10/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-supreme-court-merrick-garland-223026>]

Republican Senators Had Reservations About Who Trump Would Appoint To The Supreme Court And Said Trump Should Release His List Of Names. "Some of Donald Trump's toughest GOP critics in the Senate are pressuring the presumptive Republican nominee to reveal more information about the type of justices he would nominate for the Supreme Court - and force the mercurial candidate to bolster his conservative bona fides. As the protracted political battle over Merrick Garland's nomination shows no signs of letting up, Democrats are increasingly invoking Trump and questioning whether GOP senators are comfortable with allowing the billionaire business mogul to make lifetime Supreme Court appointments. But key Senate Republicans say they, too, have questions about whom Trump would select to the nation's highest court, and are urging him to offer more details. 'We're going to decide at some point what we do with Garland,' said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who doesn't support moving on Garland's nomination before November yet has strong reservations about Trump as his party's nominee. 'It would help to feel better about where Trump is going.' Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the most influential Republicans refusing to support Trump, argued that Trump's pick would be 'no worse than that' of likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton but added: 'I know Clinton's gonna pick a liberal. I have no idea who Trump would pick.' I think it'd probably help him," Graham, a Judiciary Committee member, said of Trump releasing more information about whom he would nominate to the Supreme Court." [Politico, 5/10/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-supreme-court-merrick-garland-223026>]

Endorsements

Dan Quayle Said He Would Support Trump As The Republican Party Nominee. "Hillary Clinton may be a more qualified presidential candidate than Donald Trump 'on paper,' former Vice President Dan Quayle said Thursday. But Trump is more qualified in another respect, the Indiana Republican suggested. 'He's more qualified in the sense that the American people, I think, want an outsider,' Quayle said in an interview with NBC's 'Today,' remarking that he would support him as the Republican Party's nominee. 'And they want an outsider this time. She's not an outsider, so if you're looking for an outsider, no, she's not qualified, and he is.'" [Politico, 5/12/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/dan-quayle-trump-hillary-clinton-223108#ixzz48Rsrs7Re>]

HEADLINE: "Republican Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign Is Announcing New Endorsements From Several House Committee Chairs Ahead Of His Trip Thursday To Washington." [US News, 5/11/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-05-11/the-latest-trump-comes-away-with-hefty-delegate-haul>]

5/11/16: Trump Announced Endorsements From Four House Committee Chairs, In Addition To The Three Who Had Already Endorsed. "Republican Donald Trump's presidential campaign is announcing new endorsements from several House committee chairs ahead of his trip Thursday to Washington. In a press release posted on his Facebook page Wednesday evening, Trump announced the backing of House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price of Georgia, Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions of Texas, Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway of Texas, and Lamar Smith of Texas, who chairs the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Trump already had the public backing of Reps. Candice Miller, Jeff Miller and Bill Schuster, also committee chairs. The seven say in a joint statement that the path for Republicans winning in November 'comes through unity.' 'It is paramount that we coalesce around the Republican nominee,' they say." [US News, 5/11/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-05-11/the-latest-trump-comes-away-with-hefty-delegate-haul>]

·         House Rules Committee Chairman, Pete Sessions, Endorsed Donald Trump. [US News, 5/11/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-05-11/the-latest-trump-comes-away-with-hefty-delegate-haul>]

·         House Budget Committee Chairman, Tom Price, Endorsed Donald Trump. [US News, 5/11/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-05-11/the-latest-trump-comes-away-with-hefty-delegate-haul>]

·         House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Mike Conaway, Endorsed Donald Trump. [US News, 5/11/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-05-11/the-latest-trump-comes-away-with-hefty-delegate-haul>]

·         House Science, Space And Technology Chairman Committee Chairman, Lamar Alexander, Endorsed Donald Trump. [US News, 5/11/16<http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-05-11/the-latest-trump-comes-away-with-hefty-delegate-haul>]

Elizabeth Warren

Trump: "Our Native American Senator, Goofy Elizabeth Warren, Couldn't Care Less About The American Worker...Does Nothing To Help!" [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/11/16<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/730488544700010496>]

Trump: "Goofy Elizabeth Warren Lied When She Says I Want To Abolish The Federal Minimum Wage. See Media-Asking For Increase!" [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/11/16<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/730493295550468096>]

Trump: "Goofy Elizabeth Warren Didn't Have The Guts To Run For POTUS. Her Phony Native American Heritage Stops That And VP Cold." [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/11/16<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/730445388856098817>]

California Delegates

White Nationalist William Johnson Said He Would Not Attend The Republican Convention: "The Trump Campaign Doesn't Want To Have To Deal With This Issue So I Resigned." "Johnson told The Daily Beast that he received an email after his inclusion on the list was reported Tuesday from Tim Clark, the Trump campaign's California chairman, saying he was 'not being considered for a delegate position.' Johnson, sounding frustrated by the uproar over his appearance on the list, told TPM in a Wednesday phone interview that he 'accepts' the campaign's explanation of a 'database error.' He said he does not plan to attend the convention and wants to let an alternate delegate serve in his place instead. 'The Trump campaign doesn't want to have to deal with this issue so I resigned,' Johnson said. 'It doesn't matter what the secretary of state's list says. I resigned so I am no longer going to be a delegate. I'm not going to attend the convention.' Asked why he applied to be a delegate given the negative attention Trump has received for support from white nationalists, including Johnson himself, he demurred. 'I was naïve,' Johnson said. 'I thought I could just go be a delegate and go be a good supporter and be mainstream. I didn't expect this blowup.'" [Talking Points Memo, 5/11/16<http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/william-johnson-trump-delegate?utm_content=bufferfb4f1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer>]

HEADLINE: "Donald Trump Has Another California Delegate Problem." [Sacramento Bee, 5/11/16<http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article77072747.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter>]

The Trump Campaign Named Walnut, California Mayor, Bob Pacheco, As A California Delegate Despite Pacheco Telling The Campaign He Was Not Interested In Being A Trump Delegate. "Donald Trump has another delegate problem in California. One day after the Republican frontrunner's campaign blamed a 'database error' for the inclusion of a white nationalist on its list of California delegates, a former state assemblyman said he was mistakenly listed as a delegate. Bob Pacheco, now mayor of the city of Walnut, told The Bee he has not endorsed Trump and did not agree to be a delegate. Pacheco said he initially filled out a questionnaire to become a Trump delegate but told them in April he no longer was interested. He also said he did not sign a pledge the campaign sent to delegates to vote for Trump. 'They sent me a Trump delegate request for me to complete, and I responded to them and said, 'No, I will not endorse Mr. Trump, and I am not going to fill out the delegate form,' Pacheco said. 'Later on I got this congratulations letter saying I was selected as a delegate, but I never signed any delegate form for him.' He said a campaign official told him after the delegate list was released on Monday that his inclusion was a 'mistake.' He said he has not decided whether he will vote for Trump." [Sacramento Bee, 5/11/16<http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article77072747.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter>]

·         Mayor Bob Pacheco Told The Trump Campaign: "No, I Will Not Endorse Mr. Trump, And I Am Not Going To Fill Out The Delegate Form." "Bob Pacheco, now mayor of the city of Walnut, told The Bee he has not endorsed Trump and did not agree to be a delegate. Pacheco said he initially filled out a questionnaire to become a Trump delegate but told them in April he no longer was interested. He also said he did not sign a pledge the campaign sent to delegates to vote for Trump. 'They sent me a Trump delegate request for me to complete, and I responded to them and said, 'No, I will not endorse Mr. Trump, and I am not going to fill out the delegate form,' Pacheco said. 'Later on I got this congratulations letter saying I was selected as a delegate, but I never signed any delegate form for him.' He said a campaign official told him after the delegate list was released on Monday that his inclusion was a 'mistake.' He said he has not decided whether he will vote for Trump." [Sacramento Bee, 5/11/16<http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article77072747.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter>]

HEADLINE: "Trump Loses Another Delegate As Anti-Muslim Pastor 'Takes One For The Team'" [The Guardian, 5/11/16<http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/anti-muslim-pastor-donald-trump-delegate-guy-st-onge>]

The Trump Campaign Listed Anti-Muslim Pastor, Guy St Onge, As A California Delegate. "The chaos over Donald Trump's California delegation to the national convention escalated on Wednesday after a controversial, anti-Muslim pastor said he was standing down to 'take one for the team.' Guy St Onge, who proselytizes frequently on YouTube, told the Guardian he was no longer a delegate for the presumptive Republican nominee. Onge has in the past shared social media postings appearing to advocate the killing of Muslims and last year claimed: 'Barack Hussein Obama and his tranny wife Michelle hates the U.S.A.!' St Onge, who is listed on the California secretary of state's official list as one of three delegates pledged to Trump from California's 35th congressional district, declined to say precisely when he stood down. The list was formally submitted by the Trump campaign on Monday night." [The Guardian, 5/11/16<http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/anti-muslim-pastor-donald-trump-delegate-guy-st-onge>]

·         St Onge In 2015: "Barack Hussein Obama And His Tranny Wife Michelle Hates The U.S.A.!" "Guy St Onge, who proselytizes frequently on YouTube, told the Guardian he was no longer a delegate for the presumptive Republican nominee. Onge has in the past shared social media postings appearing to advocate the killing of Muslims and last year claimed: 'Barack Hussein Obama and his tranny wife Michelle hates the U.S.A.!'...According to his voluminous social media presence, St Onge is an evangelical pastor living in Ontario, California. His numerous Facebook accounts, YouTube videos and Tumblr page feature videos of his preaching, photos of himself carrying rifles and anti-Muslim memes. A meme shared on one of his Facebook pages reads: 'Allah SUCKS/ Mohammed SUCKS/ Islam SUCKS/ Any of you Hadji's have an issue with me saying this, PM me and I'll gladly give you my address. You can come visit me, where I promise/ I will/ KILL YOU/ In my front yard!!'" [The Guardian, 5/11/16<http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/anti-muslim-pastor-donald-trump-delegate-guy-st-onge>]

Guy St Onge Said He Would "Take One For The Team" And Step Down As A Trump Delegate To Avoid Controversy. "The chaos over Donald Trump's California delegation to the national convention escalated on Wednesday after a controversial, anti-Muslim pastor said he was standing down to 'take one for the team.' Guy St Onge, who proselytizes frequently on YouTube, told the Guardian he was no longer a delegate for the presumptive Republican nominee... Reached by a reporter through Facebook, St Onge replied Wednesday afternoon: 'I am no longer a delegate, by my own choosing ... I will take one for the team, Loyal to a fault you might say ... Jesus loves you, but not the trouble you try and cause for others.'" [The Guardian, 5/11/16<http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/anti-muslim-pastor-donald-trump-delegate-guy-st-onge>]

Budget

HEADLINE: "Obama's Former Economic Advisor Calls Trump's Debt Idea 'Borderline Insane'" [Yahoo News, 5/11/16<http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obama-s-former-economic-advisor-calls-trump-s-debt-idea-borderline-insane-190736863.html>]

Former Chief Economic Adviser, Austan Goolsbee, Said Trump's Idea Of Not Fully Repaying Investors In U.S. Treasuries Was "Borderline Insane" And "Doesn't Make Any Sense." "President Obama's former economic advisor Austan Goolsbee called Donald Trump's idea of not fully repaying investors in U.S. Treasuries "borderline insane." Pulling no punches, Goolsbee, currently a professor of economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, continued about Trump saying, 'Either he's confused or he's completely off-base...or both.' In an interview at the SALT Conferences in Las Vegas, Goolsbee noted that while so called "haircutting" may have worked for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee while he was a businessman, particularly in the junk bond market, U.S. Treasuries are a very different kind of animal and that treating them like junk bonds would have dire consequences. Last week on CNBC, Trump said, of dealing with the national debt: 'I would borrow, knowing that if the economy crashed, you could make a deal.' 'Treasuries are the opposite of junk bonds,' Goolsbee said. 'It's the safest asset on the planet. Whenever anything goes wrong, money floods into Treasuries and actually our interest rates go down when there's a crisis. To propose anything that would threaten that is, it sounds extreme... It really doesn't make any sense.'" [Yahoo News, 5/11/16<http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obama-s-former-economic-advisor-calls-trump-s-debt-idea-borderline-insane-190736863.html>]

HEADLINE: "Trump Adviser Says He's Open To Entitlement Program Changes." [Wall Street Journal, 5/11/16<http://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-adviser-says-hes-open-to-entitlement-program-changes-1462997756>]

Trump Senior Policy Adviser: "After The Administration Has Been In Place, Then We Will Start To Take A Look At All Of The Programs, Including Entitlement Programs Like Social Security And Medicare." "Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would consider changes to Medicare and Social Security benefits after a few years in office, a top policy adviser said on Wednesday, muddling the candidate's previous positions. 'After the administration has been in place, then we will start to take a look at all of the programs, including entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare,' said chief policy adviser Sam Clovis, during an event sponsored by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation in Washington. 'We'll start taking a hard look at those to start seeing what we can do in a bipartisan way.' For now, Mr. Clovis said, Mr. Trump doesn't plan to seek any immediate changes. 'Right now, we're not going to touch anything because we can't predict the growth,' he said. 'We have to start taking a look not just at Medicare and Social Security but every program we have out there, because the budgetary discipline that we've shown over the last 84 years has been horrible.' Mr. Clovis suggested that Mr. Trump's tax plan and other policies could generate significant economic growth and that entitlement cuts would be something a Trump administration could consider after a few years of seeing the results of the policies. Hope Hicks, a campaign spokeswoman, said in an e-mail that Mr. Clovis's comments were consistent with Mr. Trump's past statements. 'Sam Clovis did not remotely suggest anything having to do with cuts,' Ms. Hicks said. 'I read his statements as though we need to examine budgetary discipline to protect programs like Social Security and Medicare, which is exactly what Mr. Trump intends to do.'" [Wall Street Journal, 5/11/16<http://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-adviser-says-hes-open-to-entitlement-program-changes-1462997756>]

·         Trump's Spokeswoman Said Clovis' Comments Were "Exactly What Mr. Trump Intends To Do." "Hope Hicks, a campaign spokeswoman, said in an e-mail that Mr. Clovis's comments were consistent with Mr. Trump's past statements. 'Sam Clovis did not remotely suggest anything having to do with cuts,' Ms. Hicks said. 'I read his statements as though we need to examine budgetary discipline to protect programs like Social Security and Medicare, which is exactly what Mr. Trump intends to do.' Mr. Trump has repeatedly said that he doesn't want to reduce major entitlement benefits and said during his campaign launch speech last year that he wanted to 'save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security without cuts.'" [Wall Street Journal, 5/11/16<http://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-adviser-says-hes-open-to-entitlement-program-changes-1462997756>]

Trump Senior Policy Adviser, Sam Clovis, Said Trump's Economic Plan Could Achieve A Surplus Of $4.5 To $7 Trillion Over Ten Years.  "During his remarks on Wednesday, Mr. Clovis at one point said that balancing the budget is a 'noble goal' and suggested Mr. Trump could achieve a surplus of $4.5 trillion to $7 trillion after 10 years. He said economic growth and unspecified budget cuts would offset Mr. Trump's tax plan, which would cut $10 trillion in revenue but which the candidate has said might get smaller during negotiations with Congress." [Wall Street Journal, 5/11/16<http://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-adviser-says-hes-open-to-entitlement-program-changes-1462997756>]

Paul Ryan

Trump On Offering Paul Ryan The Vice Presidency: "I Think Number One He Would Not Want It. He Is Doing A Good Job Where He Is." TRUMP: "So it is that way or maybe Paul and I. You know I think maybe more than anything else we need to get to know each other. He knows every other candidate you know they are politicians. He does not know me. And so I think maybe to a certain extent he wants to get to know me a little bit and I can understand that. We will just have to see how it plays out. I think it is going to play out well and if it does not you will be the first to know." IMUS: "You should walk in and offer him the VP spot. To throw him off. " TRUMP: "Yeah, well I think number one he would not want it. He is doing a good job where he is. That is not any easy one to fill. That was a tough deal. The whole speaker thing was a tough deal. But you know I expect it is going to be certainly interesting and I think it will probably go well." [Imus In The Morning, 77 WABC, 5/11/16]

Trump Said The Process Of Replacing John Boehner As Speaker "Was A Tough Deal" And The Position "Is Not An Easy One To Fill." IMUS: "You should walk in and offer [Paul Ryan] the VP spot. To throw him off. " TRUMP: "Yeah, well I think number one he would not want it. He is doing a good job where he is. That is not any easy one to fill. That was a tough deal. The whole speaker thing was a tough deal. But you know I expect it is going to be certainly interesting and I think it will probably go well." [Imus In The Morning, 77 WABC, 5/11/16]

HEADLINE: "Trump And Ryan Camps Open Negotiations." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-paul-ryan-negotiations-223083>]

5/11/16: Trump Congressional Endorsers, Including Representatives Chris Collins, Duncan Hunter And Renee Ellmers, Met With Paul Ryan To Persuade Him To Back Trump. "Donald Trump and his allies on Wednesday cranked up their efforts to woo the presumptive Republican nominee's Washington critics, even as House Speaker Paul Ryan warned that real GOP unification is going to 'take some effort.' But there are signs that effort is well underway. Ryan, who stunned Washington last week with his announcement that he was not ready to support Trump, on Wednesday quietly met with Trump's most ardent Capitol Hill supporters ahead of Thursday's high-stakes meeting with the presumptive GOP nominee. The handful of the New York billionaire's endorsers - including Reps. Chris Collins (R-N.Y), Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) - made a pitch to Ryan about why he should back Trump, according to multiple sources. Some of the members had reached out to Ryan privately before the meeting to express their disappointment with his bombshell interview last week in which he said he wasn't sure Trump was the conservative standard-bearer the party needed." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-paul-ryan-negotiations-223083>]

The Trump Campaign Reached Out To Schedule A Meeting With The House Freedom Caucus. "The Trump "Donald Trump and his allies on Wednesday cranked up their efforts to woo the presumptive Republican nominee's Washington critics, even as House Speaker Paul Ryan warned that real GOP unification is going to 'take some effort.' But there are signs that effort is well underway. Ryan, who stunned Washington last week with his announcement that he was not ready to support Trump, on Wednesday quietly met with Trump's most ardent Capitol Hill supporters ahead of Thursday's high-stakes meeting with the presumptive GOP nominee... Trump's campaign, meanwhile, has reached out to the House Freedom Caucus to schedule a meeting with the chamber's most ardent conservatives - many of whom are also his biggest critics on the Hill. Rep. Scott DesJarlais - one of the few Freedom Caucus members who has endorsed Trump and an attendee of the Ryan meeting on Wednesday - pitched the idea to the caucus board Tuesday night on behalf of the Trump campaign. The Tennessee Republican is working behind the scenes to coordinate Trump's outreach to lawmakers." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-paul-ryan-negotiations-223083>]

House Freedom Caucus Member, Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Worked To Coordinate Trump's Capitol Hill Outreach. "Trump's campaign, meanwhile, has reached out to the House Freedom Caucus to schedule a meeting with the chamber's most ardent conservatives - many of whom are also his biggest critics on the Hill. Rep. Scott DesJarlais - one of the few Freedom Caucus members who has endorsed Trump and an attendee of the Ryan meeting on Wednesday - pitched the idea to the caucus board Tuesday night on behalf of the Trump campaign. The Tennessee Republican is working behind the scenes to coordinate Trump's outreach to lawmakers." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-paul-ryan-negotiations-223083>]

Donald Trump And Paul Ryan Joint Statement On Their Meeting: "While We Were Honest About Our Few Differences, We Recognize That There Are Also Many Important Areas Of Common Ground." TRUMP AND RYAN: "While we were honest about our few differences, we recognize that there are also many important areas of common ground... We will be having additional discussions, but remain confident there's a great opportunity to unify our party and win this fall, and we are totally committed to working together to achieve that goal.... This was our first meeting, but it was a very positive step toward unification." [Joint Statement, Donald Trump And Paul Ryan, 5/12/16<https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CiQ9yo0UgAE8pGm.jpg:large>]

Trump Said Paul Ryan Was The Leader Of The Republican Party "For The Time Being, And Maybe For A Long Time." VAN SUSTEREN: "Republican party, who is the leader of the Republican Party today. You are the presumptive nominee, not the nominee yet. And we've got the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. So who is the leader?" TRUMP: "Well, I would say Paul Ryan. I mean, I would really think that. I'm doing very well. I'm leading in every category, and I think I'm going to have a record number of votes. I already have a record number of votes, come to think of it and millions of votes more than they had four years ago. Many millions of votes more. And I think I set the all-time record for votes gotten by a Republican candidate. But, I would say Paul for the time being and maybe for a long time." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump On His Meeting With Paul Ryan: "I Think We Want To See If We Have The Same Ideas Because I Represent A Large Group Of People With Very Strong Ideas And Foundations." TRUMP: "I think just unity. And, you know, we will see how it goes. And I think it will go well. Paul is a good person. I don't know Paul well. And I think that's part of the meeting. We have to get to know. And don't forget he knew everybody else because they are governors, they are senators. I am a businessman. And I think we want to get to know each other. I think we want to see if we have the same ideas because I represent a large group of people with very strong ideas and foundations. And I think we want to see a little bit about that. And, you know, hopefully, it will work out. We're going to have a very successful campaign. The polls have been, you know, through the roof. In fact, I guess over the last three days, they have gone up amazingly. I'm now winning in Ohio and winning in a lot of places. So it's been, it's been a very interesting week." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Terrorism

Trump Planned A Five To Seven Member Immigration Commission Headed By Rudy Giuliani To "Look At The Muslim Ban" And "Some Other Things On Immigration." VAN SUSTEREN: "Going back to immigration and Speaker Ryan. Now I heard today that you had at least discussed a possible immigration commission, is that right?" TRUMP: "I'm looking at it very strongly with Rudy Giuliani heading it." VAN SUSTEREN: Has he said he would?" TRUMP: "I have spoken to him a little while ago. We are going to put together a group of probably five or six people. Very, very highly thought of people. And I think Rudy will head it up. And we'll look at the Muslim ban or temporary ban as we call it. And we'll look at some other things on immigration and I have a lot of confidence in Rudy Giuliani...But I think by putting five, six, or seven people together that have expertise in the field, I think that would be good. And Rudy is a smart guy. He's a tough guy. He gets it. He understands the problem and he is willing to talk about the problem. And he will head it up and he has agreed to do so." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

·         Trump Said Rudy Giuliani Had Already Agreed To Head The Commission. "But I think by putting five, six, or seven people together that have expertise in the field, I think that would be good. And Rudy is a smart guy. He's a tough guy. He gets it. He understands the problem and he is willing to talk about the problem. And he will head it up and he has agreed to do so." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Giuliani In December 2015: "If You Do A Ban On All Muslims, I Have No Question That You Violate The First Amendment... To Me, It's Not A Sensible Proposal." "The former New York City mayor previously spoke out against Trump's proposed plan, saying during a December appearance on Fox's 'Hannity' that any form of ban on Muslim entry would be unconstitutional. 'If you do a ban on all Muslims, I have no question that you violate the First Amendment,' Giuliani said before going on to say, 'To me, it's not a sensible proposal.' Four months later, on the day of the New York primary, Giuliani announced that he would be supporting Trump and voting for him, though he came short of fully endorsing the real estate mogul." [ABC News, 5/12/16<http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-muslim-ban-suggestion-months-proposed-lacks-specifics/story?id=39034172>]

Trump Said His Muslim Ban Would Have Exceptions And "Ideally, You Won't Have A Ban Very Long." VAN SUSTEREN: "All right. I don't want to beat a dead horse. But it's a ban on Muslims with exceptions and it would be temporary." TRUMP: "And, of course, you have to have exceptions." VAN SUSTEREN: "OK. Well, the way that everybody read it. It was across the table." TRUMP: "Well, you have exceptions. But -- and ideally, you won't have a ban very long. I mean, we just have to find out what's happening. I mean, you take a look what's happening -- I'm not just talking to him. I'm talking about all over the world. You look at Germany. It's a mess. You look at Sweden, where they have a section that they just started. It's a total mess. I mean, something has to happen." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

HEADLINE: "Trump: Muslim Ban Was 'Just A Suggestion'" [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/trump-muslim-ban-was-just-a-suggestion-223102>]

HEADLINE: "Donald Trump Softens Stance On Muslim Ban." [BBC, 5/11/16<http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36272236>]

HEADLINE: "Trump's Muslim Ban May Be A 'Suggestion' But Months After Being Proposed It Still Lacks Specifics." [ABC News, 5/12/16<http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-muslim-ban-suggestion-months-proposed-lacks-specifics/story?id=39034172>]

Trump, Asked What He Would Do As President In Response To A Bombing In Baghdad, Only Claimed He Was Against The Iraq War "From The Beginning," And The Iraqi Government Was Corrupt. VAN SUSTEREN: "Terrible situation in Baghdad today. Three bombs went off. There are about 100 people killed, probably more die from their injuries within a short time. If you are president today, and you get the news, you get awakened, what do you do?" TRUMP: "Well, look, the war in Iraq is a disaster. I was against it from the beginning. We should have never been there. I always have to preface that by saying that that was bad judgment. Hillary Clinton had bad judgements. She raised her hand, a bad judgment. On email. She's got bad judgment on everything. We should have never been there. OK. Now we're there. We have a crooked government. We have a government that's dishonest as hell. The money is being squandered and stolen. And the oil is being stolen and everything is a mess. And now they have probably ISIS going in and bombing the hell out of the place with these horrible bombs that kill lots of innocent people. It is a hell hole. It's a mess. It's something we should have never been involved in. Now we're involved. What are you going to do? You have to be very tough. You have to be very stringent. But you have a government there that's totally corrupt. You have a bunch of corrupt people in that government and the whole thing is a shame." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump: "We're Going To Get Rid Of ISIS. But When It's Not ISIS, It Will Be Somebody Else... You Know That, ISIS, You Will Knock Them Out. It Will Be Somebody Else. It's Going To Continue To Form." VAN SUSTEREN: "Terrible situation in Baghdad today. Three bombs went off. There are about 100 people killed, probably more die from their injuries within a short time. If you are president today, and you get the news, you get awakened, what do you do?" TRUMP: "Well, look, the war in Iraq is a disaster. I was against it from the beginning. We should have never been there"... VAN SUSTEREN: "All right. That's the problem. What do we do? We've got 5,000 troops there now. I mean, if you are president, do you do more? Do you do less? What do you do?" TRUMP: "We're going to get rid of ISIS. But when it's not ISIS, it will be somebody else. I mean, look, we have been over there for so many years. We have spent probably now it's up to $5 trillion in the Middle East. $5 trillion in the Middle East. At some point, we have to get the hell out. You know that, ISIS, you will knock them out. It will be somebody else. It's going to continue to form. It's a mess. And we have to get rid of ISIS. You know, they chop off the heads and they drown the people in cages and we have to do it. And they blow up people. Probably this was ISIS or ISIS-related that took place in Baghdad." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump: "$5 Trillion In The Middle East. At Some Point, We Have To Get The Hell Out. You Know That, ISIS, You Will Knock Them Out. It Will Be Somebody Else. It's Going To Continue To Form. It's A Mess." SUSTEREN: "All right. That's the problem. What do we do? We've got 5,000 troops there now. I mean, if you are president, do you do more? Do you do less? What do you do?" TRUMP: "We're going to get rid of ISIS. But when it's not ISIS, it will be somebody else. I mean, look, we have been over there for so many years. We have spent probably now it's up to $5 trillion in the Middle East. $5 trillion in the Middle East. At some point, we have to get the hell out. You know that, ISIS, you will knock them out. It will be somebody else. It's going to continue to form. It's a mess. And we have to get rid of ISIS. You know, they chop off the heads and they drown the people in cages and we have to do it. And they blow up people. Probably this was ISIS or ISIS-related that took place in Baghdad." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Politifact Rated Trump's Claim That Germany Was "Crime Riddled" Because Of Refugees As "Mostly False." "Trump said Germany 'is crime-riddled right now' because of migration to Europe. There are more criminal acts in Germany these days because there are more people, thanks to the influx of 1.1 million refugees in 2015 alone. But the data suggest that the refugees tend to be better-behaved than the typical German. Even if you presume that refugee-related crime is underreported for political reasons, we could find no evidence in German media reports that the country warrants Trump's riddled-with-crime characterization. Because his statement contains some element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression, we rate it Meist Falsch - Mostly False." [Politifact, 5/11/16<http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/may/11/donald-trump/donald-trump-says-germany-now-riddled-crime-thanks/>]

Running Mate

5/11/16: Trump Said His Vice Presidential Short List Was Down To Five To Seven Names. VAN SUSTEREN: "Vice president. Everyone -- I know you haven't told anybody who your vice president is. You probably haven't made the decision yourself." DONALD TRUMP: "I actually haven't." VAN SUSTEREN: "Yeah, I mean, Ok, good. How big is the universe? Is it five or six?" TRUMP: "Five or six or seven, maybe." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Said His Vice Presidential Short List Included Women. VAN SUSTEREN: "Vice president. Everyone -- I know you haven't told anybody who your vice president is. You probably haven't made the decision yourself." DONALD TRUMP: "I actually haven't." VAN SUSTEREN: "Yeah, I mean, Ok, good. How big is the universe? Is it five or six?" TRUMP: "Five or six or seven, maybe." VAN SUSTEREN: "OK. Let's get a few more hints, any women in that group?" TRUMP: "Actually, yes." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Praised Governors Jan Brewer And Mary Fallin. VAN SUSTEREN: "Vice president. Everyone -- I know you haven't told anybody who your vice president is. You probably haven't made the decision yourself." DONALD TRUMP: "I actually haven't." VAN SUSTEREN: "Yeah, I mean, Ok, good. How big is the universe? Is it five or six?" TRUMP: "Five or six or seven, maybe." VAN SUSTEREN: "OK. Let's get a few more hints, any women in that group?" TRUMP: "Actually, yes." VAN SUSTEREN: "OK. Last night, Governor Jan Brewer said to me that she thought you ought to look at Governor Mary Fallon of Oklahoma is she one of the woman." TRUMP: "Well -- and also Jan. Jan brewer has been fantastic. She has been so fantastic. And I won so big. Her territory and we won so big. And she is a fabulous woman. And I agree with you Governor of Oklahoma is a fabulous person." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Said One Member Of His Vice Presidential Shortlist Was Not "Really Government Related As Much." VAN SUSTEREN: "Vice president. Everyone -- I know you haven't told anybody who your vice president is... One last question you told me once before you are looking for someone who has experience in government." TRUMP: "Most likely." VAN SUSTEREN: "That hasn't changed?" TRUMP: "Most likely. I mean I have one that may be -- could fit the role very nicely that would not be really government related as much. But I do like the concept of -- we are going to be passing legislation. We are not going to try to do all the executive orders like Obama." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Donald Trump Was Reportedly Considering Newt Gingrich As A Running Mate. "Donald Trump has discussed in recent days the possibility of selecting former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as his vice presidential running mate, according to multiple people familiar with the discussions. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been asking confidants for input on Gingrich as a potential pick, including during conversations Wednesday at Trump Tower in New York, according to a person familiar with the discussions... There's a strong rationale for Gingrich, said Rick Tyler, who was an aide to the lawmaker for 12 years in Congress and during Gingrich's 2012 presidential bid. He has substantive policy-driven views and knows the world, Tyler said." [Bloomberg, 5/11/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-05-12/donald-trump-said-to-weigh-newt-gingrich-for-vice-presidential-role>]

5/11/16: Newt Gingrich Endorsed Donald Trump For President. NEWT GRINGRICH: "I endorse Donald Trump. I want to work very hard for the Republican nominee. I didn't get involved at that level prior because I had very good friends. John Kasich is a great, personal friend of mine. Ted Cruz ran a great campaign. And I tried to be an objective observer." [Hannity, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Newt Gingrich On Trump: "If Everything Works Right, He Will Be An Amazing Historic Figure. If Everything Works Wrong, He'll Be Worse Than Goldwater. And I Don't Think We Have Any Idea Right Now Which Version Is Going To Show Up." "Former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich told 9NEWS on Tuesday he's been talking to Donald Trump and the Trump campaign, but not about being Trump's running mate. Gingrich is considered one of several possible choices who fits what Trump is looking for: a person with more political experience than he has. Trump said Tuesday he's narrowed his list to five or six people. In an interview for 9NEWS political program Balance of Power, Gingrich's answer on the VP question does little to answer how likely of a choice he'd be. But he did offer a candid evaluation of Trump's chances for the November election. 'I think [Trump] has the biggest upside and the biggest downside of any candidate I've ever seen,' Gingrich told 9NEWS political reporter Brandon Rittiman. 'If everything works right, he will be an amazing historic figure. If everything works wrong, he'll be worse than Goldwater. And I don't think we have any idea right now which version is going to show up.'" [NBC 9 News (Colorado), 5/10/16<http://www.9news.com/news/politics/newt-gingrich-donald-trump-barry-goldwater-howard-dean/184786904>]

Republican Convention

Trump Said He Would "Bring Some Great Entertainment" To The Republican Convention: "We Have Some Incredible Country And Western People. I Happen To Love That." TRUMP: "I think it will be a spectacular convention. We're involved. I would like to actually bring some entertainment. I mean it's -- you hear a lot of speeches and people start falling asleep after the 19th speech. So if we could bring some great entertainment. We have some incredible country and western people. I happen to love that but we have some great country and western people who want to come in. We have some great entertainers who want to come in. Now some want to come in but they can't because they happen to be on the other side of the ledger. You know it's a little bit tough. But we have some great entertainers that want to come in."  [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump On The Republican Convention: "We Have Some Great Entertainers Who Want To Come In. Now Some Want To Come In But They Can't Because They Happen To Be On The Other Side Of The Ledger. You Know It's A Little Bit Tough." TRUMP: "I think it will be a spectacular convention. We're involved. I would like to actually bring some entertainment. I mean it's -- you hear a lot of speeches and people start falling asleep after the 19th speech. So if we could bring some great entertainment. We have some incredible country and western people. I happen to love that but we have some great country and western people who want to come in. We have some great entertainers who want to come in. Now some want to come in but they can't because they happen to be on the other side of the ledger. You know it's a little bit tough. But we have some great entertainers that want to come in."  [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Campaign Finance

HEADLINE: "Trump Fundraising Operation Ramping Up With Los Angeles Kick-Off." [Washington Post, 5/11/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/05/11/trump-fundraising-operation-ramping-up-with-los-angeles-kick-off/?postshare=1771463002128767&tid=ss_tw>]

Trump Planned A Fundraiser In Los Angeles Hosted By Investor Thomas Barrack Jr. "An ambitious fundraising effort that aims to collect as much as $1 billion to support presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee is taking form, with plans to kick off an aggressive schedule of finance events in Los Angeles at the end of this month. Investor Thomas Barrack Jr., who did real estate business with Trump in the 1980s, is scheduled to host a campaign fundraiser honoring the candidate on May 25, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans. The gathering at Barrack's home is set to include a photo line, cocktails and dinner. A spokesman for Barrack declined to comment and referred questions about the event to the Trump campaign. A campaign aide confirmed the event was taking place. The dinner fundraiser is set to be the first of as many as 50 finance events that the campaign and party are racing to set up as they try to rapidly build out a structure to appeal to major donors. Trump's willingness to participate in the functions - after months of bashing other candidates for their ties to wealthy contributors - represents a dramatic shift in his posture. The Trump campaign, which has no apparatus to solicit contributions, is now finalizing plans with the RNC to participate in a joint fundraising committee that can accept large contributions. The so-called victory fund is expected to be led by a group of senior party financiers, including Ray Washburne, a former RNC finance chairman, according to several people familiar with the plans. Washburne left his RNC post last year to serve as finance chairman for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's presidential campaign. In a brief phone conversation, Washburne declined to comment." [Washington Post, 5/11/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/05/11/trump-fundraising-operation-ramping-up-with-los-angeles-kick-off/?postshare=1771463002128767&tid=ss_tw>]

·         Thomas Barrack Jr. Did Real Estate Business With Trump In The 1980s. "Investor Thomas Barrack Jr., who did real estate business with Trump in the 1980s, is scheduled to host a campaign fundraiser honoring the candidate on May 25, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans. The gathering at Barrack's home is set to include a photo line, cocktails and dinner. A spokesman for Barrack declined to comment and referred questions about the event to the Trump campaign. A campaign aide confirmed the event was taking place." [Washington Post, 5/11/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/05/11/trump-fundraising-operation-ramping-up-with-los-angeles-kick-off/?postshare=1771463002128767&tid=ss_tw>]

Former RNC Finance Chairman Ray Washburne Was Expected To Lead Trump's Joint Fundraising Committee With The RNC. "The Trump campaign, which has no apparatus to solicit contributions, is now finalizing plans with the RNC to participate in a joint fundraising committee that can accept large contributions. The so-called victory fund is expected to be led by a group of senior party financiers, including Ray Washburne, a former RNC finance chairman, according to several people familiar with the plans. Washburne left his RNC post last year to serve as finance chairman for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's presidential campaign. In a brief phone conversation, Washburne declined to comment." [Washington Post, 5/11/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/05/11/trump-fundraising-operation-ramping-up-with-los-angeles-kick-off/?postshare=1771463002128767&tid=ss_tw>]

Trump On Not Self-Funding His General Election Campaign: "I Don't Want To Take Money. The Party Will Take The Money. The Party Will Be Supporting Me And Other People." IMUS: "So now you have to raise by your own estimation of $1.5 billion to run. Where is that money going to come from?" TRUMP: "Well I will put in some, but I am going but you know we are going to raise a lot of money with the party. You know we have a really good relationship. You know we are having a meeting tomorrow with Paul Ryan who is a really good person by the way. Who loves the country. Who loves the party and loves the country. So I think that will be good we are going to raise a lot of money for the party and I think that the number would be probably a billion not a billion five. You know I spend money less, I am a little less on the spending. You know I spent so far like $38 million 40 million which is a lot of money but Jeb Bush spent $230 million and you know we spend actually less than everybody else and I am in first place. So that is a good thing, I think I know how to spend it. Maybe that is why people like me as President; right?"  IMUS: "So if you put yourself in a position to take money from people or organizations or industries. Are they going to expect something?" TRUMP: "Well look they are going to pay any money to the party. I don't want to take money. The party will take the money. The party will be supporting me and other people--many other people. And I am going to continue to fund also my own stuff." [Imus In The Morning, 77 WABC, 5/11/16]

Republican Fundraiser Spencer Zwick Said He Had Periodically Met With Trump Until February 2016. "Spencer Zwick, the Republican fund-raiser who is deeply close to the former presidential nominee Mitt Romney and who raises money for the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, has periodically met with Donald J. Trump, including around the time he began his winning streak of nominating contests in February. The meetings are noteworthy at a moment when the Republican Party has been divided between those supporting Mr. Trump and those who are opposing him as the party's standard-bearer. Mr. Romney has been highly critical of Mr. Trump, and Mr. Ryan, with whom Mr. Trump will meet on Thursday, has said he is not ready to endorse Mr. Trump for the party's presidential nomination." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/12/romney-fund-raiser-says-he-had-met-with-donald-trump/>]

Spencer Zwick Had Close Ties To Mitt Romney And Raised Money For House Speaker, Paul Ryan. "Spencer Zwick, the Republican fund-raiser who is deeply close to the former presidential nominee Mitt Romney and who raises money for the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, has periodically met with Donald J. Trump, including around the time he began his winning streak of nominating contests in February. The meetings are noteworthy at a moment when the Republican Party has been divided between those supporting Mr. Trump and those who are opposing him as the party's standard-bearer. Mr. Romney has been highly critical of Mr. Trump, and Mr. Ryan, with whom Mr. Trump will meet on Thursday, has said he is not ready to endorse Mr. Trump for the party's presidential nomination. Mr. Zwick, who is often described as Mr. Romney's 'sixth son' and who was a co-founder of the private equity firm Solamere Capital with Mr. Romney's son Tagg, said in an interview that he had made clear before the primaries began that he was available to meet with anyone interested in discussing the fund-raising process. Mr. Zwick was credited with snatching for Mr. Romney portions of the networks established by Senator John McCain of Arizona and Rudolph W. Giuliani during the 2008 presidential campaign. Mr. Zwick said he had also met with Gov. John R. Kasich of Ohio before he suspended his campaign." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/12/romney-fund-raiser-says-he-had-met-with-donald-trump/>]

HEADLINE: "Billionaire T. Boone Pickens Backs Donald Trump, Muslim Ban." [Wall Street Journal, 5/11/16<http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/05/11/billionaire-t-boone-pickens-backs-donald-trump-muslim-ban/>]

Pickens: "I'll Tell You, Donald Always Overestimates How Successful He Is." "Mr. Pickens acknowledged that Mr. Trump is not without his flaws. 'I'll tell you, Donald always overestimates how successful he is,' he said." [Wall Street Journal, 5/11/16<http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/05/11/billionaire-t-boone-pickens-backs-donald-trump-muslim-ban/>]

Bonne Pickens Planned To Host A Reception For Pro-Trump Great America PAC On June 11-13th. "Oil tycoon Boone Pickens is slated to host a reception for a pro-Donald Trump super PAC at his Texas ranch next month. Pickens, a prolific giver to Republican candidates and causes who on Wednesday announced his support for Trump, is scheduled to host an event at his North Amarillo, Texas, ranch on the weekend of June 11-13, according to two sources.  The event will be sponsored by Great America PAC, a super PAC that is devoted to supporting Trump. The event is not a fundraiser per se, but rather a reception aimed at cultivating new potential givers to the super PAC. Pickens, who helped to finance the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against John Kerry in 2004, is expected to be joined by Ed Rollins, a veteran Republican strategist and 1984 Ronald Reagan campaign manager. Great America PAC has invited a group of major GOP donors to the event." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/donald-trump-pickens-boone-t-223105>]

Tax Returns

HEADLINE: "Donald Trump Handed Over Tax Returns In Casino Bids." [CNN, 5/11/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/politics/donald-trump-casino-licenses-tax-returns/index.html>]

Trump Turned Over His Tax Returns To Pennsylvania And New Jersey Gaming Officials In The Process Of Acquiring Casino Licenses. "Donald Trump insists he won't release his tax returns during his 2016 presidential run because those returns are the subject of ongoing Internal Revenue Service audits. When he's had casinos on the line, it's been a different story. Trump has handed over tax returns in the midst of audits before -- to state gambling officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as part of the process of seeking casino licenses in those states. The returns haven't been publicly accessible, but they were used by the state investigators who reviewed those applications. In Pennsylvania, Trump's attorneys included tax returns from 2000 through 2004 in a set of documents that the state's Gaming Control Board stamped as 'received' on February 9, 2006. It came as Trump attempted to build a casino in Philadelphia -- a project that state officials ultimately rejected amid fears he'd use it to lure gamblers across state lines to his properties in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where the tax rate is lower. He was required to turn over tax returns in New Jersey, as well, where state law requires five years' worth of tax returns from casino license applicants. A spokesman for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission confirmed that Trump's tax returns were mandatory, but said they'd only have been made public if they were introduced as evidence in court proceedings over casino licenses -- which didn't happen in Trump's case." [CNN, 5/11/16<http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/politics/donald-trump-casino-licenses-tax-returns/index.html>]

HEADLINE: "Donald Trump Breaks With Recent History By Not Releasing Tax Returns." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/11/donald-trump-breaks-with-recent-history-by-not-releasing-tax-returns/>]

Trump Would Be The First Major Party Presidential Candidate Since 1976 Not To Release His Full Tax Returns. "The release of tax returns is not legally required of presidential candidates, but there is a long tradition of major party nominees putting their returns forward for the public to peruse. Joseph J. Thorndike, an adjunct college professor who tracks presidential tax returns as the director of the Tax History Project, said Mr. Trump would be the first major candidate since 1976 to not make any of his full returns public. President Gerald R. Ford released a tax summary that year. During the heat of his primary battle, Mr. Trump said he would release his tax information and blamed the delay on the complexity of his finances. He later said that he could not do it immediately because he is being audited by the Internal Revenue Service, and that his lawyers advised him against it. Mr. Trump has also explained that he cannot release returns form previous years because the government audits him almost every year. Although Mr. Trump has cited the audit as a reason for withholding his returns, Dr. Thorndike noted that President Richard M. Nixon released his under audit, starting the tradition of candidates making theirs public." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/11/donald-trump-breaks-with-recent-history-by-not-releasing-tax-returns/>]

·         Richard Nixon Released His Tax Returns While Under Audit. "Mr. Trump has also explained that he cannot release returns form previous years because the government audits him almost every year. Although Mr. Trump has cited the audit as a reason for withholding his returns, Dr. Thorndike noted that President Richard M. Nixon released his under audit, starting the tradition of candidates making theirs public." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/05/11/donald-trump-breaks-with-recent-history-by-not-releasing-tax-returns/>]

Mitt Romney On Trump: "It Is Disqualifying For A Modern-Day Presidential Nominee To Refuse To Release Tax Returns To The Voters, Especially One Who Has Not Been Subject To Public Scrutiny In Either Military Or Public Service." ROMNEY: "It is disqualifying for a modern-day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters, especially one who has not been subject to public scrutiny in either military or public service. Tax returns provide the public with its sole confirmation of the veracity of a candidate's representations regarding charities, priorities, wealth, tax conformance, and conflicts of interest. Further, while not a likely circumstance, the potential for hidden inappropriate associations with foreign entities, criminal organizations, or other unsavory groups is simply too great a risk to ignore for someone who is seeking to become commander-in-chief. Mr. Trump says he is being audited. So? There is nothing that prevents releasing tax returns that are being audited. Further, he could release returns for the years immediately prior to the years under audit. There is only one logical explanation for Mr. Trump's refusal to release his returns: there is a bombshell in them. Given Mr. Trump's equanimity with other flaws in his history, we can only assume it's a bombshell of unusual size. (Anticipating inquiries regarding my own tax release history, I released my 2010 tax returns in January of 2012 and I released my 2011 tax returns as soon as they were completed, in September of 2012.)" [Mitt Romney, Facebook, 5/11/16<https://www.facebook.com/mittromney/posts/10153487016861121>]

Mitt Romney On Trump's Tax Returns: "Given Mr. Trump's Equanimity With Other Flaws In His History, We Can Only Assume It's A Bombshell Of Unusual Size." ROMNEY: "It is disqualifying for a modern-day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters, especially one who has not been subject to public scrutiny in either military or public service. Tax returns provide the public with its sole confirmation of the veracity of a candidate's representations regarding charities, priorities, wealth, tax conformance, and conflicts of interest. Further, while not a likely circumstance, the potential for hidden inappropriate associations with foreign entities, criminal organizations, or other unsavory groups is simply too great a risk to ignore for someone who is seeking to become commander-in-chief. Mr. Trump says he is being audited. So? There is nothing that prevents releasing tax returns that are being audited. Further, he could release returns for the years immediately prior to the years under audit. There is only one logical explanation for Mr. Trump's refusal to release his returns: there is a bombshell in them. Given Mr. Trump's equanimity with other flaws in his history, we can only assume it's a bombshell of unusual size. (Anticipating inquiries regarding my own tax release history, I released my 2010 tax returns in January of 2012 and I released my 2011 tax returns as soon as they were completed, in September of 2012.)" [Mitt Romney, Facebook, 5/11/16<https://www.facebook.com/mittromney/posts/10153487016861121>]

Trump Campaign Finance Team's Scaramucci Said Trump Did Not Want To Release His Tax Returns Because "He Feels That He Doesn't Want To Give Out That Information To The General Public And Have A Whole Nightmare Situation With Opposition Research Trying To Pick Holes Through The Return." QUESTION: "But Anthony, what's the case -- I'm sorry to jump in on you, but I guess what is the case? I personally don't think that he necessarily should have to. And it is an optional issue. However, there is going to be a lot of pressure on him and people are going to say, we've heard Donald Trump talk a lot about the fact that he pushes the limits, that he doesn't want to pay any more taxes than he absolutely has to. He's been somewhat creative, in a way. So what would be in there that he wouldn't want people to see?" SCARAMUCCI: "Well, I think it has to do with three things. The complication of the return, the fact that he's under an audit, he feels that he doesn't want to give out that information to the general public and have a whole nightmare situation with opposition research trying to pick holes through the return." [Real Story, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Said He Would Release His Tax Returns "When The Audit Is Complete, Not After The Election." TRUMP: "In interview I told @AP that my taxes are under routine audit and I would release my tax returns when audit is complete, not after election!" [@realDonaldTrump, Twitter, 5/11/16<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/730500562022760448>]

HEADLINE: "Donald Trump Will Release His Tax Returns, Just After He Runs Out Of Reasons Not To." [Huffington Post, 5/11/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-media-tax-returns_us_5733821be4b0365741117cf4?>]

Trump Senior Adviser On Tax Returns: "He Is Committed To Releasing Them As Soon As A Routine Audit Is Complete." HUCKABEE SANDERS: "He is committed to releasing them as soon as a routine audit is complete. I don't think there is any question the IRS doesn't exactly have the best track record when dealing with conservatives and conservative organizations. So I think he is following the advice of his accountants. And those that know his situation best, and as soon as that routine audit is complete, he is committed to releasing his tax returns." QUESTION: "What do you think the IRS is doing to his tax returns? What is the suspicion here?" HUCKABEE SANDERS: "I don't know what the suspicions are, but they've been advised to wait. At the end of the day, I don't think that any Americans are as concerned about Donald Trump's taxes as they are concerned about their own. And the thing that they want to know is what is Donald Trump's tax policy, what is Donald Trump's tax plan." [Newsroom, CNN, 5/12/16]

Trump Senior Adviser Huckabee Sanders Said Trump Was Hesitant To Release His Tax Returns Because "The IRS Doesn't Exactly Have The Best Track Record When Dealing With Conservatives." HUCKABEE SANDERS: "He is committed to releasing them as soon as a routine audit is complete. I don't think there is any question the IRS doesn't exactly have the best track record when dealing with conservatives and conservative organizations. So I think he is following the advice of his accountants. And those that know his situation best, and as soon as that routine audit is complete, he is committed to releasing his tax returns." QUESTION: "What do you think the IRS is doing to his tax returns? What is the suspicion here?" HUCKABEE SANDERS: "I don't know what the suspicions are, but they've been advised to wait. At the end of the day, I don't think that any Americans are as concerned about Donald Trump's taxes as they are concerned about their own. And the thing that they want to know is what is Donald Trump's tax policy, what is Donald Trump's tax plan." [Newsroom, CNN, 5/12/16]

HEADLINE: "Trump's False Claim That 'There's Nothing To Learn' From His Tax Returns." [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 5/12/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/05/12/trumps-false-claim-that-theres-nothing-to-learn-from-his-tax-returns/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_factchecker-6am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory>]

Washington Post Fact Checker: "Donald Trump Has A History Of Promising To Release His Tax Returns - And Then Not Doing So." "'There's nothing to learn from them.' - Donald Trump, explaining why he won't release his tax returns, in an interview with the Associated Press on May 11, 2016. Donald Trump has a history of promising to release his tax returns - and then not doing so. In 2011, when Trump was spearheading the movement questioning whether President Obama was born in the United States, Trump told ABC News that he would release his tax returns if Obama released his long-form birth certificate. 'I'd love to give my tax returns,' he said. But once Obama released his birth certificate, Trump hedged. 'At the appropriate time I'm going to do it,' he said. The appropriate time never came. Then, in 2012, Trump criticized Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney for being slow to release his tax returns. He was asked by Fox News if he'd ever have a problem releasing his returns. 'No,' Trump said. 'I actually think that it's a great thing when you can show that you've been successful, and that you've made a lot of money, that you've employed a lot of people. I actually think that it's a positive.'" [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 5/12/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/05/12/trumps-false-claim-that-theres-nothing-to-learn-from-his-tax-returns/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_factchecker-6am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory>]

Trump Promised To Release Tax Returns In 2011 If Obama Released His Birth Certificate, And Criticized Romney In 2012 For Being Slow To Release His Returns. "Donald Trump has a history of promising to release his tax returns - and then not doing so. In 2011, when Trump was spearheading the movement questioning whether President Obama was born in the United States, Trump told ABC News that he would release his tax returns if Obama released his long-form birth certificate. 'I'd love to give my tax returns,' he said. But once Obama released his birth certificate, Trump hedged. 'At the appropriate time I'm going to do it,' he said. The appropriate time never came. Then, in 2012, Trump criticized Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney for being slow to release his tax returns. He was asked by Fox News if he'd ever have a problem releasing his returns. 'No,' Trump said. 'I actually think that it's a great thing when you can show that you've been successful, and that you've made a lot of money, that you've employed a lot of people. I actually think that it's a positive.' But apparently, that was then. Trump now says he won't release his taxes, citing a pending audit - not even back taxes from 2002 to 2008 that his lawyers claim have been cleared without penalty. Never mind that the first president to release his taxes, Richard Nixon, did so in in the midst of an audit." [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 5/12/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/05/12/trumps-false-claim-that-theres-nothing-to-learn-from-his-tax-returns/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_factchecker-6am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory>]

Trump In 2012 On Releasing Tax Returns: "I Actually Think That It's A Great Thing When You Can Show That You've Been Successful, And That You've Made A Lot Of Money, That You've Employed A Lot Of People. I Actually Think That It's A Positive." "Then, in 2012, Trump criticized Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney for being slow to release his tax returns. He was asked by Fox News if he'd ever have a problem releasing his returns. 'No,' Trump said. 'I actually think that it's a great thing when you can show that you've been successful, and that you've made a lot of money, that you've employed a lot of people. I actually think that it's a positive.' But apparently, that was then." [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 5/12/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/05/12/trumps-false-claim-that-theres-nothing-to-learn-from-his-tax-returns/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_factchecker-6am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory>]

Trump Said He Would Not Release Any Returns Because Of A Pending Audit, Even Returns From 2002 To 2008 That Had Already Been Cleared Without Penalty. "Trump now says he won't release his taxes, citing a pending audit - not even back taxes from 2002 to 2008 that his lawyers claim have been cleared without penalty. Never mind that the first president to release his taxes, Richard Nixon, did so in in the midst of an audit. Trump himself also provided tax returns from 2000 to 2004 - while they were under audit by the Internal Revenue Service - to state gambling officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as part of the process of seeking casino licenses in those states, CNN reported." [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 5/12/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/05/12/trumps-false-claim-that-theres-nothing-to-learn-from-his-tax-returns/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_factchecker-6am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory>]

Washington Post Fact Checker Gave Trump "Four Pinocchios" For Claiming "There's Nothing To Learn" From His Tax Returns. "Trump falsely claims that voters would learn nothing from his tax returns. To the contrary, voters would learn a lot of information that Trump has long tried to hide from the public. Tax returns would help lift a veil of secrecy about Trump's finances - and let voters know whether his claims about his wealth and charitable giving are true, or if he's just a bombastic man behind the curtain akin to the Wizard of Oz. Four Pinocchios." [Fact Checker, Washington Post, 5/12/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/05/12/trumps-false-claim-that-theres-nothing-to-learn-from-his-tax-returns/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_factchecker-6am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory>]

Trump Did Not Know How Far Back He Was Being Audited: "I Don't Know. I Would Have To Ask." VAN SUSTEREN: "All right, tax returns. You said that you don't intend to release your tax returns." TRUMP: "No, no, I didn't say that. I said I am being audited. I'm being audited." VAN SUSTEREN: "But what about the returns that are not being audited." TRUMP: "No, no, here's a link, but it goes way back." VAN SUSTEREN: "How far back are you being audited?" TRUMP: "I don't know. I would have to ask. Quite -- long enough that it would matter. And there is a link between that and other things." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Said He Would Not Release Tax Returns That Were No Longer Under Audit Because Going Back That Far "Would Be Meaningless." VAN SUSTEREN: "All right, tax returns. You said that you don't intend to release your tax returns." TRUMP: "No, no, I didn't say that. I said I am being audited. I'm being audited." VAN SUSTEREN: "But what about the returns that are not being audited." TRUMP: "No, no, here's a link, but it goes way back." VAN SUSTEREN: "How far back are you being audited?" TRUMP: "I don't know. I would have to ask. Quite -- long enough that it would matter. And there is a link between that and other things. And as soon as the audit is finished, I'd love to--" VAN SUSTEREN: "Length of what?" TRUMP: "It's just a very relatively simple audit. I will tell you what's unfair. Every year for many years, I have been audited. And I have friends that are very rich that don't get audited. They never get audited. I get audited every single year. And I think it's actually very unfair." VAN SUSTEREN: "Do you think it's deliberate, intentional, being targeted?" TRUMP: "I don't know. That I have friends that are very wealthy people. I say how often do you get audited? They didn't even know what I meant. They're never audited. I'm audited every single year. I think it's very unfair." VAN SUSTEREN: "If the audit goes back seven years, would you release the eighth year back? Would you be willing to do that?" TRUMP: "No. Number one, it would be meaningless. I would have to find out how far back it goes. But number one, when you go back eight years, that's pretty... First of all, if there are, they are meaningless. OK? It doesn't matter because they are so far back. But at the right time, I will release them. I hope to release them. I would like to release them. But when I'm under audit, I can't do that." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump On Tax Returns: "At The Right Time, I Will Release Them. I Hope To Release Them. I Would Like To Release Them. But When I'm Under Audit, I Can't Do That." TRUMP: "So the answer is don't release. Hopefully, before the election, I will release and I would like to release. By the way, you learn very little from a tax return. You know, I have released my financials and my financials show tremendous numbers. Very little debt. All of that. You don't learn very much from a tax return." VAN SUSTEREN: "I think part of the things that they are releasing though is it dispels that argument that there's something going on, that you are not doing it. It takes the mystery off." TRUMP: "You don't learn anything. A tax return you learn very, very little. I mean, I have released highly complex, detailed financials in line with the federal elections commission. We put them in, I think it's 99 pages or close to 100 pages of detail saying what a great company I built. You know, I built a company with very little debt. All of this stuff has certified numbers. Very, very little debt. Tremendous cash flow. Tremendous value. Great assets. I mean, that's something. And people go over that and they are very impressed. You learn very little from a tax return. But here's the thing, Greta, when you are under audit and you just said it, as a lawyer--" VAN SUSTEREN: "And I totally agree. If you were my client and you are under audited, I would say don't release them. But I just think there are some years outside the audit that might--" TRUMP: "First of all, if there are, they are meaningless. OK? It doesn't matter because they are so far back. But at the right time, I will release them. I hope to release them. I would like to release them. But when I'm under audit, I can't do that." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

HEADLINE: "I Saw Trump's Tax Returns. You Should, Too." [Timothy O'Brien, Bloomberg, 5/12/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-12/time-for-donald-trump-to-release-his-tax-returns>]

Timothy O'Brien Reviewed Trump's Tax Returns During A Libel Lawsuit, But Was Prevented By A Court Order For Discussing Specifics. "Actually, as someone who saw Trump's federal tax returns about a decade ago as part of a legal action in which he sued me for libel (the suit was later dismissed), I think there probably are some things to be learned from them. The tax returns my lawyers and I reviewed were sealed, and a court order prevents me from speaking or writing about the specifics of what I saw. I can say that Trump routinely delayed -- for months on end -- producing those documents, and when they finally arrived they were so heavily redacted that they looked like crossword puzzles. The litigation ran on for five years, and during that time we had to petition the court to compel Trump to hand over unredacted versions of the tax returns -- which he ultimately did." [Timothy O'Brien, Bloomberg, 5/12/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-12/time-for-donald-trump-to-release-his-tax-returns>]

Timothy O'Brien Suggested Trump's Tax Returns May Show The Extent To Which Trump Exaggerated His Income. "So despite Trump's statements to the contrary, here are some general questions that a full release of at least several years of his tax returns might usefully answer: 1) Income: Trump has made the size of his fortune a centerpiece of his presidential campaign, implying that it's a measure of his success as a businessman. He has also correctly noted that the income shown on his tax returns isn't a reflection of his total wealth. Even so, income is a basis for assessing some of the foundations of any individual's wealth -- and would certainly reflect the financial wherewithal of the businesses in which Trump is involved. After Fortune's Shawn Tully dug into Trump's financial disclosures with the Federal Election Commission and an accompanying personal balance sheet his campaign released, he noted in March that Trump 'appears to have overstated his income, by a lot, which could be the reason he has so far tried to avoid releasing his returns.' Tully said that Trump apparently boosted his income in the documents by conflating his various businesses' revenue with his personal income. Trump didn't respond to Tully's assessment, but he could clear up all of that by releasing his tax returns." [Timothy O'Brien, Bloomberg, 5/12/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-05-12/time-for-donald-trump-to-release-his-tax-returns>]

Tax Policy

HEADLINE: "Donald Trump's Plan To Raise Taxes On Rich: Just Kidding." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/upshot/donald-trumps-plan-to-raise-taxes-on-rich-just-kidding.html>]

Trump: "I Really Want To Keep Taxes For Everybody As Low As Possible. When You Start Making Them Too High, You Are Going To Lose People From The Country, And Oftentimes These Are The People Who Create The Jobs." "The Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the center-left Urban Institute and Brookings Institution, calculates that Mr. Trump's policies would on average give the top 1 percent of taxpayers a federal tax cut of $275,000, or 17.5 percent of their after-tax income, while middle-income households would get a $2,700 tax cut, equivalent to 5 percent of their after-tax income. So, I asked Mr. Trump, why not tax the rich at higher rates than they are subject to today? 'I really want to keep taxes for everybody as low as possible,' he said. 'When you start making them too high, you are going to lose people from the country, and oftentimes these are the people who create the jobs.'" [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/upshot/donald-trumps-plan-to-raise-taxes-on-rich-just-kidding.html>]

5/11/16: Trump Said He Was Preparing A List Of Tax Deductions On The Rich That He Planned To Eliminate And Would Release The List "Next Week." "Mr. Trump, in addition to cutting income taxes for the rich, intends to get rid of the estate tax altogether. Still, there are elements of his plan that he might highlight if he is accused of favoring the wealthy. Like Mrs. Clinton, he wants to reduce or eliminate deductions for the rich. When I asked Mr. Trump what type of deductions he intended to limit, he said, 'We are preparing a list of the various deductions and we are going to release that next week.' Maybe then the 1 percent will be able to see if there is anything to fear from Mr. Trump." [New York Times, 5/11/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/upshot/donald-trumps-plan-to-raise-taxes-on-rich-just-kidding.html>]

Trump Senior Adviser: "I Don't Think That Any Americans Are As Concerned About Donald Trump's Taxes As They Are Concerned About Their Own. And The Thing That They Want To Know Is What Is Donald Trump's Tax Policy, What Is Donald Trump's Tax Plan." QUESTION: "What do you think the IRS is doing to his tax returns? What is the suspicion here?" HUCKABEE SANDERS: "I don't know what the suspicions are, but they've been advised to wait. At the end of the day, I don't think that any Americans are as concerned about Donald Trump's taxes as they are concerned about their own. And the thing that they want to know is what is Donald Trump's tax policy, what is Donald Trump's tax plan." [Newsroom, CNN, 5/12/16]

Hillary Clinton

Trump Claimed Hillary Clinton "Wants To Abolish The Second Amendment. Essentially She Wants To Abolish The Second Amendment Take Everybody's Guns Away. I Think That Is A Very Bad Issue For Her." TRUMP: "Well I think they are prepared but I am running a campaign where we are going to make great trade details. She cannot do that. We are going to strengthen up our military. You know our military is decimated. With all of the cuts and all of the other things but look you just look at the way she has handled all of the different things--Libya what a disaster with the Benghazi-everything. You look at so many things she has handled so bad. We are going to strengthen trade, we are going to strengthen borders. We are going to do things-- She wants to abolish the second amendment. Essentially she wants to abolish the second amendment take everybody's guns away. I think that is a very bad issue for her. You know she has got it. She has that issue. So I think we are going to do great but very big for me is going to be trade. Very big for me is going to be cutting waste and all of these countries we defend are ripping us off like you would not believe. The numbers are astronomical." [Imus In The Morning, 77 WABC, 5/11/16]

Trump: "Hillary Clinton Had Bad Judgements" In Supporting The Iraq War And "On Email." TRUMP: "Well, look, the war in Iraq is a disaster. I was against it from the beginning. We should have never been there. I always have to preface that by saying that that was bad judgment. Hillary Clinton had bad judgements. She raised her hand, a bad judgment. On email. She's got bad judgment on everything. We should have never been there." [On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, Fox News, 5/11/16]

Trump Said Hillary Clinton Has "A Lot Of Problems. She's Lost A Lot Of The Mojo. You Know, It Would Be Hard For Her With All Of These Loses, One After Another After Another For Her To Go And Run." TRUMP: "I don't know that it matters. I do think that it's going to be--  It's getting tougher and tougher for Hillary because she's lost a lot of the, even if she's, you know, because it's a rigged deal. She's got these super delegates that were handed to her. She should win anyway, but she's losing every week. I mean, every single week she loses. It's a rigged deal. Then if she doesn't get, if she doesn't have to go through the process with respect to the email scandal, that's a rigged deal too-- You know, I mean, she's got a lot of problems. She's lost a lot of the mojo. You know, it would be hard for her with all of these loses, one after another after another for her to go and run. I don't know. It doesn't seem to make sense. I, whichever one it is, I don't care." [Mike Gallagher Radio Show, 5/11/16]

Trump: Hillary Clinton "Wants To Abolish The Second Amendment-- Take Away Everybody's Guns." TRUMP: "I'm going to save the Second Amendment, which is under siege. You know, Hillary wants to abandon. She wants to abolish the Second Amendment-- take away everybody's guns. Can't do that. Not today, you can't. Not ever. You know, we've got a lot of things going, I think, that are very good." [Mike Gallagher Radio Show, 5/11/16]

Trump Said Hillary Clinton "Got Her Ass Kicked Last Night" In The West Virginia Primary. "But if the Long Island, New York, event was meant to act as a sneak preview of what a newly honed Trump fundraising pitch will look like, it's clear the celebrity businessman does not plan to change his brash, showman-like approach. He taunted his defeated Republican rivals. He told the crowd that it would grow 'so tired of winning' while he was in the White House they'd beg him to lose once in a while to keep things interesting. He mocked Hillary Clinton's loss in the West Virginia primary, saying 'she got her ass kicked last night.'" [Associated Press, 5/11/16<http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9bca2883ce284bdfa92a3a863881cade/trump-long-island-makes-fundraising-pitch>]

Media

Trump Admitted He "Had A Little Bit Of A Blowout" With CNN's New Day And MSNBC's Morning Joe Right After He Sealed The Republican Nomination. KILMEADE: "My observation, I'm busy in the mornings, but there's two morning shows that had you on all the time and now all of a sudden after you get the nomination there's a blowout on CNN and MSNBC. I read about it. I'm on Fox and Friends at the time. Do you think that's a coincidence?" TRUMP: "Well you are a very skeptical guy. I see that. You know, I've never thought of it that way. But yeah I had a little bit of a blowout with one of them and maybe the other one too. Um, you know I can tell you they want me on. That I can tell you all right. But you know I never thought of it that way. I never thought of it that way. But it could be. I mean it could be. I don't care that much. I mean honestly, it's not very important to me, but it could be. It's a possibility." [Kilmeade And Friends, Fox News Radio, 5/11/16]

Trump's Chief Policy Adviser, Sam Clovis: "Every Time We Put A Detailed Plan Out We Just Get Eviscerated In The Media." "As with many of Mr. Trump's policy positions, some of which he has seemed to reverse, the campaign has been reluctant to provide details. Mr. Clovis declined to lay out specifics, saying, 'every time we put a detailed plan out we just get eviscerated in the media.' He added that the campaign is using broad guidelines on the matter and likely will hold back on releasing a comprehensive plan until Mr. Trump's first 100 days in office." [Wall Street Journal, 5/12/16<http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-adviser-signals-plan-to-change-veterans-health-care-1463064129>]

Labor

HEADLINE: "Unions Prepare Super PAC To Take Down Trump." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/unions-afl-cio-super-pac-donald-trump-223084#ixzz48S2PjU78>]

An Anti-Trump Super PAC Was Formed By The AFL-CIO And Three Major Public Employee Unions. "Top labor unions are finalizing a new super PAC that will solicit cash from outside donors to take down Donald Trump in key battleground states. The super PAC is engineered by top officials at the AFL-CIO and three major public employee unions: the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the American Federation of Teachers; and the National Education Association. The Service Employees International Union considered joining the PAC but has since opted out. Unions may opt in for $1 million, sources say. The PAC's organizers aim to raise about $50 million by soliciting money from unions and liberal donors outside the labor movement." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/unions-afl-cio-super-pac-donald-trump-223084#ixzz48S2PjU78>]

A Labor-Backed Super PAC Aimed To Raise $50 Million To Highlight Trump's Anti-Worker Positions. "Top labor unions are finalizing a new super PAC that will solicit cash from outside donors to take down Donald Trump in key battleground states. The super PAC is engineered by top officials at the AFL-CIO and three major public employee unions: the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the American Federation of Teachers; and the National Education Association. The Service Employees International Union considered joining the PAC but has since opted out. Unions may opt in for $1 million, sources say. The PAC's organizers aim to raise about $50 million by soliciting money from unions and liberal donors outside the labor movement... A key goal for the super PAC will be to wrench the pro-worker message back from Trump, who has attracted blue-collar support campaigning against immigration, trade liberalization and offshoring, but also favors right-to-work laws and opposes a federal minimum wage increase." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/unions-afl-cio-super-pac-donald-trump-223084#ixzz48S2PjU78>]

·         The Labor-Backed Super PAC, Led By Paul Tewes, Did Not Plan To Start Spending Against Trump Until After The Democratic Primary Had Concluded. "A key goal for the super PAC will be to wrench the pro-worker message back from Trump, who has attracted blue-collar support campaigning against immigration, trade liberalization and offshoring, but also favors right-to-work laws and opposes a federal minimum wage increase. The new PAC won't start spending money until a Democratic candidate secures the nomination. A launch date for the super PAC is still under discussion. Sources say the PAC will be led by Paul Tewes, a highly respected operative in the union world who also has extensive ties within the Democratic Party as a former political director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and a top director of President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign." [Politico, 5/11/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/unions-afl-cio-super-pac-donald-trump-223084#ixzz48S2PjU78>]

Veterans

Trump's Chief Policy Adviser, Sam Clovis, Said Trump Would Push Veterans Health Care Toward Privatization: "If That Means We Have Some Form Of Privatization Or Some Form Of Medicare, We Don't See Anything Wrong With That." "Donald Trump says the Department of Veterans Affairs' health-care system is badly broken, and this week his campaign released some guidelines that would steer changes he would implement if he wins the presidency. While short on details, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee would likely push VA health care toward privatization and might move for it to become more of an insurance provider like Medicare rather than an integrated hospital system, said Sam Clovis, Mr. Trump's chief policy adviser, in an interview. 'We want quality care top to bottom,' Mr. Clovis said in an interview. 'If that means we have some form of privatization or some form of Medicare, we don't see anything wrong with that.'" [Wall Street Journal, 5/12/16<http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-adviser-signals-plan-to-change-veterans-health-care-1463064129>]

Trump Did Not Plan To Release A Comprehensive Veterans Administration Plan Until His First 100 Days In Office. "The campaign's proposal to move toward privatization isn't necessarily new, Mr. Trump's website has long said the businessman wants to 'ensure our veterans get the care they need wherever and whenever they need it,' but he has yet to provide specifics about how he would do that. As with many of Mr. Trump's policy positions, some of which he has seemed to reverse, the campaign has been reluctant to provide details. Mr. Clovis declined to lay out specifics, saying, 'every time we put a detailed plan out we just get eviscerated in the media.' He added that the campaign is using broad guidelines on the matter and likely will hold back on releasing a comprehensive plan until Mr. Trump's first 100 days in office." [Wall Street Journal, 5/12/16<http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-adviser-signals-plan-to-change-veterans-health-care-1463064129>]