Radio Free Montone: 'I'm Pretty Sure Donald Trump Tried To Punch Me Once'
By John Montone, 1010 WINS
I'm pretty sure Donald Trump tried to punch me once.
A former editor sent me to the groundbreaking of the Trump International on Central Park West. This was back in the early 90's. The press release called it the "most important building in the world --" or maybe the universe: the world is such a small concept when Donald Trump is involved. This was also around the time "The Donald," as his ex-wife Ivana called him, was the front page tabloid rage -- arm and arm with the beautiful Marla Maples.
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My editor had no interest in the Trump International. Instead he wanted me to ask Trump how he felt about Ivana's new boyfriend. I figured I'd never get the chance to ask the question because the place would be swarming with media representatives from the networks and cable outlets. But there weren't many reporters there and Trump was very gracious mingling with the local journalists.
I think he was talking golf with some newspaper guys when I sidled up next to him. I waited for an opening and asked: "Donald, it's been reported that Ivana has a new boyfriend. Does this bother you?"
I know Trump lunged at me. But I can't say for sure whether he cocked his fist. I thought he did. That was quite a few years ago when I still retained some of the quickness of my youth, so I managed to dodge the lunge or punch. Trump immediately ordered his security people to show me out the door. Which was fair enough.
I later joked that I should have let him hit me. A successful lawsuit against a guy with his money and I wouldn't have spent most of my adult life getting up for work in the middle of the night. Although in later years I did hear that not all of his business endeavors were going that well --maybe he would have counter-sued me and now I'd be funding his campaign.
When people ask me to give them one reason why I would vote for Trump for president, I have exactly one reason. That story. Of course, I might have to spice it up just a bit.
"Hey, Trump. Your wife sleepin' around?"
"I'm gonna get you, Montone. Let's take this outside."
"That's fine with me, Don."
"Take this!"
Yeah, right. The President of the United States sucker-punched me. Broke my jaw. True story.
