Donald Trump on Supporters’ Legal Fees

Quotes by Donald Trump on Paying His Violent Supporters’ Legal Fees

THEN
NOW


Feb - March 4, 2016
March 15, 2016

Donald Trump On Paying Supporters' Legal Fees Then
Donald Trump On Paying Supporters' Legal Fees Now


#DonaldTrump 2/1/16: "If ❲somebody’s about❳ to throw a tomato knock the crap out of them…I promise you I will pay for the legal fees." » #Trump 3/15/16: "I didn’t say I was going to pay for the fees." Click To Tweet

Quotes by Donald Trump on Paying His Violent Supporters’ Legal Fees

THEN

Feb - March 4, 2016

Donald Trump On Paying Supporters' Legal Fees Then
“So if you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Ok, just knock the hell. I promise you I will pay for the legal fees. I promise. I promise.”
- Feb 1, 2016

Trump campaign rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Business Insider, Feb 1, 2016
Donald Trump tells his fans to 'knock the crap out of' any protesters about to throw tomatoes at him

(retrieved 7/23/18)
starts at beginning

“Get him out. Try not to hurt him. If you do, I’ll defend you in court, don’t worry about it.”
- March 4, 2016

Trump campaign rally in Warren, Michigan

USA Today, March 15, 2016
Fact check: ‘Temperature’ at Trump rallies

(retrieved 7/23/18)
starts at 47:49

NOW

March 2016

Donald Trump On Paying Supporters' Legal Fees Now
I’ve actually instructed my people to look into [paying the legal fees of a supporter who sucker-punched a protester].”
March 13, 2016 -

Meet the Press interview

NBC News, March 13, 2016
Donald Trump Discusses Violence at Campaign Rallies

(retrieved 7/23/18)
starts at 5:02

“I didn’t say I was going to pay for the fees… I didn’t say that… I never said I was going to pay for fees… Maybe you’re right [that paying the legal fees would be rewarding violence], and maybe that’s why I wouldn’t do it.”
March 15, 2016 -

Good Morning America interview

ABC News (via Fox News), March 15, 2016
Donald Trump: 'Never said' I would pay supporters' legal fees

(retrieved 7/23/18)
starts at 0:52


#DonaldTrump 3/4/16: "Get him out. Try not to hurt him. If you do, I’ll defend you in court, don’t worry about it." » #Trump 3/15/16: "I never said I was going to pay for fees." #Civility Click To Tweet


Context

At a Trump campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina on March 9, 2016, a Trump supporter sucker-punched a protestor in the face.1NPR, March 10, 2016
Trump Rally Attendee Charged With Punching Protester In The Face
(retrieved 7/23/18)
Donald Trump initially said “I’ve actually instructed my people to look into” paying for the supporter’s legal fees;2NBC News, March 13, 2016
Donald Trump Discusses Violence at Campaign Rallies
retrieved 7/23/18
two days later however he said “I didn’t say I was going to pay for the fees” and that “maybe” he wouldn’t.3Fox News, March 15, 2016
TITLE
retrieved 7/23/18
There is no indication that he did.