‘People are growing up in a trailer park’: GOP Sen turns Trump’s wealth into Rep brand problem
WASHINGTON, DC: Outgoing North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, who has recently become a more vocal critic of President Donald Trump, has once again hit out at the president over his growing wealth while Americans continue to face financial challenges.
Thom Tillis raised concerns about Trump's growing businesses and wealth, saying the issue could become a problem for the GOP brand, during an interview with MS NOW's Stephanie Ruhle.
Sen raises concerns about Trump wealth, calls it damaging for GOP
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who is on a media tour promoting his new book, appeared on MS NOW on Tuesday morning, Oct. 6 and spoke candidly about President Trump, his rising wealth and his eldest son's connection to a Russian businessman who helped fund his wedding celebrations.
The interview turns to political discussion when host Ruhle asked Tillis about concerns over corruption.
Mentioning Trump's meme coin, Ruhle asked Tillis if he thought “we have ever seen this level of corruption, with the billions of dollars the president and his family are making?”
“Look, there’s a difference. At Price Waterhouse, one thing they taught us early as a manager and a partner is that you figure out where the line is, and you take a step back. You don’t navigate the gray, and it does appear to me that some folks are navigating the gray,” Tillis replied.
Tillis said it remained unclear whether the Trump family's actions were illegal, but suggested they could face investigations if Republicans lose control of the House next year.
“Hopefully the president has good advisors. They haven’t run afoul of the law, but appearances are not good,” Tillis said. “Anytime a president makes a billion dollars in the same year that people are growing up in a trailer park—”
Tillis says he has problem with Donald Jr taking money from Russian oligarch
Tillis said his biggest concern was Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, and his decision to accept financial help from a Russian oligarch to fund his wedding.
He said that while he understood even wealthy people can face liquidity problems, Don Jr. should have found another way to pay for the wedding.
“Again, is it illegal? I don’t know, but appearances, it’s the last thing we need. This is about the Republican brand,” Tillis said.
Tillis says raising questions out of concern for GOP
Tillis said his comments were aimed at protecting the Republican Party’s image and the future of conservatism.
“My point in writing the book, and my point in talking on these shows, is that I care about the Republican brand,” Tillis said. “I care about conservatism. I believe this country, and I know that my state, because we’ve empirically measured it over the last 20 years, is in better hands when Republicans are in charge.”
He said Republicans were making “unforced errors” that could hurt the party in the upcoming elections and potentially cost them control of at least one chamber of Congress.
Tillis urged Republicans to acknowledge questions surrounding the Trump family’s business dealings instead of dismissing them.
“Let’s just admit these are legitimate questions and move on. Stop the nothing-to-see-here stuff, and just say, ‘Yes, we’ll look at it, and if they’ve got a good case, then present it,’” Tillis added.
