Ten Lies of Donald Trump
Image © David McCue from movie poster of You’ve Been Trumped
I had promised a blog about my conversation with Donald Trump jun. last year. However, for reasons which will become clear, I am now going to delay that until I have this one out of the way.
Donald Trump has a reputation for exaggeration and hyperbole, bullshit and lies. In this post I will ignore the first three and concentrate on the last – the lies. As Trump prepares to give evidence before a Scottish Parliamentary Committee where he will be expected to tell the truth, it is worth reminding ourselves of the catalogue of lies he has told during the past 6 years.
But first of all, what is a lie? My Collins dictionary defines it as
1.to speak untruthfully with intent to mislead or deceive
2.to convey a false impression or practice deception
3.an untrue or deceptive statement deliberately intended to deceive
Here are ten of Trump’s lies.
1. Compulsory Purchase Orders
In January 2011, Trump stated that “We have consistently said that we have no interest in compulsory purchase and have never applied for it.” However, as we now know, Trump requested that Aberdeenshire Council use its powers of compulsory purchase to acquire a number of parcels of land including those owned by residents of Menie. (1)
2. I had a deal
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he had a deal, a promise or reassurances that wind turbines would not be built within view of his golf resort
AsI stated five years, I would not have gone forward with wind turbines off our coastline and was repeatedly promised, as an incentive for us to proceed with my project, that wind turbines would not be destroying and distorting Aberdeen’s magnificent coastline. (2)
No evidence of such a deal has ever been produced and Scottish Ministers have consistently denied the existence of any deal. If Trump has the evidence, he should produce it. Otherwise, he should shut up.
3. He was stealing our property
Mr Trump has consistently defamed David Milne, the owner of Hermit Point. For example, on Channel 4, he claimed, “We had a man, he built a fence and he was stealing our property because he built the fence on our land.” (3)
The man whom Mr Trump is referring to is David Milne. The fence in question is a fence built, not by Mr Milne, but by Thomas Griffin, the previous owner of Menie Estate. The fence was built some 3m from the boundary with David Milne’s property and Mr Milne has never claimed the land as his though he has done both Mr Griffin and Mr Trump a favour by maintaining the strip of land. As a thank you, Mr Trump threatened legal action on the basis of blatant lies and sent Mr Milne a bill for £2820. (4)
4. He has a garage on my land and built it without permits
Donald Trump has also claimed that David Milne has built a garage on his land. At Trump’s press conference on 20 June 2011, he claimed that “He currently has part of his garage on our property so we’ve asked him to move it.” & “He built his shed without permits.” Both statements are blatant lies. Mr Milne’s garage is on his own land as I prove in my Donald Trump’s Ego Trip report at page 15. As for the permits, here is the Planning Consent.
5. We don’t need his property
In relation to Michael Forbes’ property, Donald Trump claimed in August 2008 that “I don’t need it. It’s not in the way of what I’m doing” (5) Six months later, he asked for compulsory purchase powers on the basis that Forbes’ land and other plots were “necessary for the proper planning of the development.” (6)
6. We’ve had tremendous support from environmental groups
Donald Trump has claimed that “Most environmental groups have supported us. We’ve had tremendous support from the environmental groups.” (7)
No environmental groups supported Trump’s golf resort at Menie. All the groups that took part in the public inquiry opposed it. There has been no “tremendous support” never mind a majority support.
7. We’ve invested tens of millions
In Trump’s evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, he claimed that “my development in Scotland, despite an investment of tens of millions of pounds, is debt free. (8) Trump’s spokesperson, Sarah Malone claimed that We’ve spent well in excess of £50 million. (9)
In fact, as at 31 December, Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd. has invested £6,455,690. (11)
8. Doing the deal
Trump told the Scottish Government in February 2006 that the “deal” on the golf resort would be concluded in the “next few days” (10). However, Trump had concluded the deal on 27 January 2006. (12)
9. Overwhelming support for golf resort
Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that
“93% of people in Aberdeen are in favour of the Menie project” (13)
Despite much repetition of this figure, Trump has never produced any evidence to substantiate the claim despite repeated requests to do so. This allegation will be withdrawn if he can prove it is true.
10. Cutting off the water
On 28 July 2010, the water supply of the Forbes’ family was cut off by Trump’s contractors. His spokesperson, George Sorial claimed that “The matter was addressed immediately and it was repaired immediately.” The water was actually restored on 3 August 2010. (14)
FOOTNOTES
(1) See pages 28-34 of Donald Trump’s Ego Trip available here. The letter requesting CP be used is here.
(2) See Trump’s response to EOWDC planning application and as more fully discussed here.
(3) Channel 4 News 20 June 2011. See report here.
(4) The issue is discussed in more depth in Donald Trump’s Ego Trip on pages 15-21
(5) See footnote 47, page 29 Donald Trump’s Ego Trip.
(6) See letter requesting compulsory purchase powers.
(7) BBC2 All American Billionaire 28 November 2010. Clip at 1:48
(8) Evidence to Scottish Parliament.
(9) Scotsman, 16 November 2011.
(10) See Scottish Development International email 21 February 2006.
(11) See details here.
(12) See my blog post of 19 April 2012.
(13) BBC2 All American Billionaire 28 November 2010 Clip at 3:00
(14) See Donald Trump’s Ego Trip page 28
My Partner and I live in Aberdeen and frequently visit Balmedie. We are both opposed to Trumps Tantrums and Tirades and are appalled our Government fell for his lies and bullying tactics. They just needed to scratch the surface to find out how this was going to end. Greed greed and more greed! Idiots! This was wrong on so many levels. Indie.
Think you can do anything you want to my fathers land and the clan will show you fired! grace me guide
Just watched you’ve been trumped, feel so angry and saddened to see how badly the local community has been treated. how was planning approved when the devt ploughs thru a SSSI? It doesnt seem right when you consider the amount of planning, consultation and mitigation we have to do when getting a flood defence scheme approved when the purpose is to protect people. It makes a mockery of the planning system. Whoever did the EIA should be ashamed. As for trump threatening to pull out due to an offshore wind farm, that’s rich! A wind farm will supply people with clean renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions, whereas his golf resort has destroyed a SSSI and given little benefit to the local people, not really sth for the greater good except greed.
Just watched you’ve been trumped, feel so angry and saddened to see how badly the local community has been treated. And how was planning approved when the devt ploughs thru a SSSI? It doesnt seem righy when you consider the amount of planning, consultation and mitigation that a flood defence scheme must do when the purpose is to protect people. It makes a mockery of the,planning system. Whoever did the EIA should be ashamed. As for trump threatening to pull out due to an offshore wind turbine, that’s rich! A wind farm will supply people with clean renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions, whereas his golf resort has destroyed a SSSI and given little benefit to the local people, not really sth for the greater good except greed.