Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Dean, Trump, Koch and Coke


AROUND THE BLOCK

News with a Twist

Howard Dean doubles down on Trump coke induced sniffle allegation

Koch brothers deny any involvement; Coca-Cola Co. silent


Former Vermont governor and Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean doubled down Tuesday on his insinuation that Donald Trump's debate-night sniffles were related to coke use.

"I'm not suggesting that Trump does, but I'm suggesting we think about it, because here's the interesting constellation — he sniffs during the presentation, which is something that users do. He also has grandiosity, which is something that accompanies that problem. ... It's something I think it'd be interesting to ask him and see if he ever had a problem with that."

There is no evidence that Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has ever used coke. The businessman has long said he doesn’t drink alcohol or take any illegal drugs.

Dean, a doctor and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, first raised the coke use allegation in a tweet on Monday night as social media exploded with commentary about Trump’s breathing, which was picked up by his microphone.

For it’s part, the Trump campaign responded in an uncharacteristically graceful manner by issuing the following statement: “We will not dignify Howard Dean’s allegations with a response.”

However, prominent Republican benefactors Charles and David Koch did join in the controversy.

Carl “Oily” Sands, a spokesman for the billionaire industrialist brothers who recently rejected pressure from dozens of big donors in their sprawling political network to back Trump released the following statement:

“Not only have the Koch brothers or any of their foundations or PACs given any money to the Trump campaign, we have not provided Mr. Trump with any Koch. If Governor Dean’s assertions are correct, we can say unequivocally that Mr. Trump received his supply of Koch from someone other than the Koch brothers.”

Calls to the Coca-Cola Company regarding Mr. Trump's possible use of their Coke went unanswered.




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