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Trump Slams 'Sleazy' Media After Announcing He Raised $5.6 Million For Veterans' Groups

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Donald Trump says dozens of charities have received $5.6 million from a veterans' fundraiser he held earlier this year, but he criticized the press for making the money an issue.

CBS2's Alice Gainer reported that Trump boycotted a Fox News debate in January and held a fundraiser for veterans instead.

"Some of it didn't come through, but more money is coming through that didn't come through, but there may be more," Trump said.

At a news conference Tuesday morning at Trump Tower, the presumptive Republican nominee detailed which groups received donations and how the money was allocated.

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"I have raised a tremendous amount of money for the vets, almost $6 million and more money is going to come in, I believe over the next little while," he said. "All of the money has been paid out."

But Trump complained that it was "very unfair that the press treated us so badly.'' He called members of the media "dishonest" and "sleazy" and said he wanted to keep information about the donations private because he didn't want the attention.

"He's a sleaze in my book," Trump said of one media member. "You're a sleaze because you know the facts."

He continued, "Because I don't think it's anybody's business if I want to send money to the vets. Instead of being like, 'Thank you so much Mr. Trump' or 'Trump did a good job,' everybody is saying, 'Who got it, who got it, who got it, who got it' and you make me look very bad. I have never received such bad publicity for doing such a good job."

Trump had earlier claimed that he raised $6 million through a combination of pledges from wealthy friends, the public, and $1 million from himself.

He said he had done so on the telethon-style fundraiser he held in Iowa in January as he boycotted a Fox News presidential debate.

But his campaign refused for months to disclose which charities received the money and that led to speculation that the money raised was less than he had claimed.

The Associated Press reported that more than two dozen charities responded to calls about the donations. About half said checks from Trump came only within the past week.

A group called Vets Vs. Hate held a protest outside Trump Tower on Tuesday.

"I don't think it particularly matters whether it's $4 million, $5 million, $6 million -- what matters is Trump tried to swindle and defraud veterans," veteran Perry O'Brien told CBS2's Janelle Burrell. "Now, clearly he appears to be scrambling to account for the missing funds."

Marine Alexander McCoy, who was also protesting, said Trump has been using veterans as props, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.

"And he has not shown any honor in his actions or his policies," McCoy said. "He would make a reckless and dangerous Commander-in-Chief."

An impassioned veteran defended Trump.

"I've been involved in many fundraisers," the vet said. "There are many scam artists out there. He did the right thing by vetting these groups there."

The Clinton campaign released a statement criticizing Trump's news conference, saying "nobody should be fooled by this stunt, only completed under immense pressure."

"The truth is, throughout this campaign and his entire career, he's shown veterans an incredible amount of disrespect," it said.

Trump claimed the protesters Tuesday had been sent by Hillary Clinton, but O'Brien said the group is not affiliated with Clinton's campaign, 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reported.

"Donald Trump is trying to discredit veterans because we're not being convenient props in his narrative of bigotry and of hate," O'Brien said, adding he voted for Bernie Sanders.

Despite the controversy, Republican strategist Frank Luntz said he doesn't think it will impact Trump's campaign.

"A normal candidate would be under intense fire, but for Donald Trump, this is just a single day story," he told "CBS This Morning."

A new poll showed a Trump and Clinton race would be a virtual tie. Clinton leads Trump by two points. The same poll showed Sen. Bernie Sanders beating Trump by 12 points.

"We don't get intimidated easily," Sanders said.

Sanders is currently campaigning hard in California with that state's primary just a week away.

Clinton now plans to leave New Jersey to return to California earlier than planned because the race there has tightened. Both states vote next Tuesday.

Below is the list of the groups that Trump said received funds:

  • 22Kill: $200,000.
  • Achilles International: $200,000
  • American Hero Adventures: $100,000
  • Americans for Independent Living: $100,000
  • America's Best Dogs, the Veteran K-9 corps, Inc.: $75,000
  • AMVETS: $75,000
  • Armed Services YMCA of the U.S.: $75,000
  • Bob Woodruff Family Foundation, Inc.: $75,000
  • Central Iowa Shelter and Services: $100,000
  • Connected Warriors, Inc.: $75,000
  • Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust: $115,000
  • Fisher House Foundation: $115,000
  • Folds of Honor Foundation: $200,000
  • Foundation for American Veterans: $75,000
  • Freedom Alliance: $75,000
  • Green Beret Foundation: $350,000
  • Higher Heroes USA: $75,000
  • Homes for Our Troops: $50,000
  • Honoring America's Warriors: $100,000
  • Hope for The Warriors: $65,000
  • Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund: $175,000
  • K-9 for Warriors: $50,000
  • Liberty House: $100,000:
  • Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation: $1,100,000 (Trump said he gave $1 million to this group)
  • Navy SEAL Foundation: $465,000
  • Navy Marine Corps Relief Society: $75,000
  • New England Wounded Veterans, Inc.: $75,000
  • Operation Homefront: $65,000
  • Partners for Patriots: $100,000
  • Puppy Jake Foundation: $100,000
  • Racing for Heroes, Inc.: $200,000
  • Support Siouxland Soldiers: $1,000
  • Task Force Dagger Foundation: $50,000
  • The Mission Continues: $75,000
  • The National Military Family Association, Inc.: $75,000
  • Veterans Air Lift Command: $100,000
  • Veterans Count: $25,000
  • Veterans Airlift Command, Inc.: $150,000
  • Vietnam Veterans Workshop, Inc. $75,000
  • Warriors for Freedom Foundation: $50,000

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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