Washington DC/Panjab Post
In a contentious press conference on Friday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reaffirmed his claim of having experienced a life-threatening helicopter ride with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. However, Brown has vehemently denied the event ever occurred, and another former politician, Nate Holden, has suggested he, not Brown, was the one with Trump on a similarly tumultuous flight decades ago.
Trump’s narrative, shared during a disjointed press briefing, recounted a harrowing helicopter experience where an emergency landing seemed imminent. Trump detailed that Brown, who once had a relationship with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, appeared anxious during the ordeal. Additionally, Trump claimed Brown had shared negative remarks about Harris.
Willie Brown, a significant Democratic figure and former Speaker of the California State Assembly, refuted Trump’s account in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle. Brown asserted that he never shared a helicopter ride with Trump and had not made disparaging comments about Harris.
Contrarily, Nate Holden, a former Los Angeles city councilman and state senator, told Politico that he had been on a bumpy helicopter journey with Trump in New Jersey, likely in 1990. This account contradicts Trump’s assertion that the flight took place in New Jersey with Brown.
Trump, undeterred, defended his story on Truth Social, insisting that the helicopter ride with Brown occurred in New Jersey. He cited “logs,” “maintenance records,” and “witnesses” to support his claim but did not produce concrete evidence. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, referenced a book excerpt featuring a photograph of Trump and Brown, which he claimed corroborated the story.
Holden dismissed Trump’s assertions, suggesting confusion or fabrication on Trump’s part. Holden’s comments included a pointed remark distinguishing himself from Brown based on their physical appearances, indicating that Trump might have mixed up the details.
Furthermore, Trump’s 2018 helicopter tour of California with then-Governor Jerry Brown was noted by NBC News. A representative for Brown, who is white, confirmed that no emergency landing occurred and that Harris was not discussed during that flight.
In response to critical coverage, Trump threatened to sue the New York Times, criticizing its reporter, Maggie Haberman, on Truth Social. The Times and Harris campaign did not immediately address requests for comment on the unfolding controversy.
As the 2024 election cycle progresses, Trump continues to generate headlines with his controversial statements, amidst ongoing scrutiny over his claims and actions.
