Watch 'Morning Joe' panel debunk Donald Trump's 'weird' helicopter story

'Morning Joe' host Katty Kay pointed out that Donald Trump rode with former California Governor Jerry Brown in a helicopter, not Willie Brown
UPDATED AUG 10, 2024
MSNBC 'Morning Joe' substitute host Katty Kay and the panel hilariously debunked Donald Trump's exaggerated account of nearly dying in a helicopter crash (MSNBC/Getty Images)
MSNBC 'Morning Joe' substitute host Katty Kay and the panel hilariously debunked Donald Trump's exaggerated account of nearly dying in a helicopter crash (MSNBC/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: On Friday’s episode of MSNBC’s 'Morning Joe', the panel had a good laugh as substitute host Katty Kay dismantled Donald Trump’s bizarre tale of nearly dying in a helicopter crash - an incident that, according to reports, never occurred.

During a rambling press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday, Trump recounted a dramatic helicopter ride he once took to inspect wildfire damage in California.



 

'Morning Joe' panel debunks Donald Trump's helicopter tale

During the news conference, when he was asked about Kamala Harris' past relationship with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Donald Trump said he once flew with the former mayor in a helicopter that "went down". The former president used this story to launch an attack on Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I know Willie Brown very well. In fact, I went down in a helicopter with him. We thought maybe this is the end. We were in a helicopter going to a certain location together, and there was an emergency landing.”

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - AUGUST 19: Democratic vice presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA
During a press conference, Donald Trump claimed that he and former Bay Area lawmaker Willie Brown, who had once been involved with Kamala Harris, were involved in a helicopter emergency landing  (Getty Images)

He further alleged that Brown had shared negative opinions about Harris, saying, "... he told me terrible things about her. But this is what you’re telling me, anyway, I guess. But he had a big part in what happened with Kamala. But he — I don’t know, maybe he’s changed his tune. But he — he was not a fan of hers very much, at that point.”

Kay and her fellow panelists on 'Morning Joe' had a field day debunking Trump’s story. Kay pointed out that both the New York Times and Willie Brown himself have refuted Trump’s claims.

Katty Kay corrects Donald Trump’s claims

Katty Kay noted that Donald Trump’s helicopter ride was actually with former California Governor Jerry Brown, not Willie Brown, leading to audible laughter from host Joe Scarborough and regular contributor John Heilemann.

"Willie Brown isn't saying terrible things about Harris at all," Kay reported as the laughter continued. "In fact, he remains an avid supporter of hers."



 

She further highlighted the absurdity of Trump’s claims, referencing his infamous suggestion to combat California’s wildfire crisis by "raking the forest" - a proposal that had been widely mocked.

"The group took the helicopter to survey wildfire damage in 2018, an event where Trump would confuse the name of the town that was destroyed and also claimed the solution to California's wildfire crisis was to, quote, 'rake the forest'. Do you remember that? Raking the forest? That was one of those particular moments."


SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 15: Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown arrives at the Premiere of
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown has stated that he never shared a helicopter with Donald Trump (Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic)

Social media mocks Donald Trump's helicopter ride tale

Social media users were left in splits as they shredded Donald Trump's 'weird' helicopter ride in the comments section of the article.

One user wrote, “Story is insane. Literally insane.”

Another added, “How about a petition or gofundme to get Willie Brown to sue Donald Trump over this lie?”

One user replied, “They both have high foreheads and little hair. Maybe that's what confused the weird one.”

Another person added, "Welcome to another episode of 'Trump History', where we review fictional historical events as though seen through the eyes of a demented imbecile.”

One stated, “Hell, even "Drunk History" usually gets the facts right. This is a whole different level of foolishness.”

Another individual said, “ Gawd, he is an insufferable buffoon! He needs to be put away before he does more harm to the country.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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