Former President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the return of a donation he made to Kamala Harris’ re-election campaign for California Attorney General back in 2014. This demand comes hot on the heels of President Joe Biden’s announcement that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
The Donation
The donation, which was made during a time when Trump was a prominent businessman and reality TV star, raised eyebrows when it first came to light. Trump has been known for making political contributions across party lines, often to curry favor with influential figures or as part of his broader business strategy.
The check, issued from Capital One, N.A., and signed by Trump, was part of his routine contributions to various political figures. At the time, Kamala Harris was serving her first term as California’s Attorney General and was gearing up for her re-election campaign.
The Demand
In a recent statement, Trump cited his disappointment with Harris’ actions and policies during her tenure as Vice President, and her recent endorsement by Biden, as reasons for wanting his donation back.
“Considering the terrible job Kamala Harris has done as Vice President, and now with Joe Biden dropping out and endorsing her, I want my money back,” Trump said. “I made that donation in good faith, believing she would serve the people well. Clearly, that was a mistake. I want my $5,000 returned immediately.”
Trump also took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to voice his demand, posting an image of the original check along with a scathing message: “Back in 2011, I donated to Kamala Harris because I believed she could do some good. Turns out, I was wrong. She’s been a disaster as VP, and now she’s Biden’s pick. I want my money back! #RefundTrump”
Kamala Harris’ Response
The Vice President’s office has not issued an official response to Trump’s demand. However, insiders close to Harris suggest that the request is unlikely to be entertained. One source humorously remarked, “Maybe Trump should look at it as a donation to a good cause that didn’t pan out as he hoped. It happens.”
Public Reaction
The public’s reaction has been a mixture of amusement and bewilderment. Many have taken to social media to poke fun at Trump’s demand, with some suggesting he start a trend of “political donation refunds.”
“Hey @realDonaldTrump, good luck getting a refund on a political donation. Maybe next time try asking for a store credit?” one Twitter user joked.
Another user tweeted, “Is Trump going to ask for a refund from every politician he’s ever donated to who didn’t do what he wanted? That’s going to be a long list!”
Analysts Weigh In
Political analysts are viewing Trump’s demand as part of his broader strategy to stay in the headlines and appeal to his base by attacking prominent Democratic figures.
“Trump’s demand for a refund is symbolic more than anything,” said political analyst Jane Roberts. “It’s a way for him to express his dissatisfaction with Harris and keep his supporters engaged. The actual return of the donation is highly unlikely.”
Others see it as another example of Trump’s unique approach to politics. “Only Trump would think to ask for a refund on a political donation,” commented historian Mark Thompson. “It’s unconventional, but that’s exactly why it gets people talking.”
As the story continues to unfold, it’s clear that Trump’s demand for a refund from Kamala Harris’ 2014 re-election campaign is more about making a political statement than recovering a financial contribution. Whether or not Harris will respond remains to be seen, but for now, Trump has once again succeeded in capturing the public’s attention with his latest unconventional move.
