Thread: Boeing pledges $1 million for Donald Trump's inaugural events

Boeing pledges $1 million for Donald Trump's inaugural events

Fredreka Schouten , USA TODAY 8:02 p.m. EST December 8, 2016

Workers are busy constructing the stage where President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office on January 20th. More than a quarter million people are expected to attend the ceremony. (Dec. AP

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s Twitter attack on Boeing isn’t keeping the aircraft builder from writing a big check to back his inaugural festivities.

The company already had committed $1 million to help underwrite inaugural events when Trump took aim at the manufacturer this week, according to a Boeing official familiar with the planning, who requested anonymity to speak frankly about the discussions.

The donation matches the amount Boeing gave to President Obama’s 2013 inauguration, Federal Election Commission records show.

On Tuesday, Trump lashed out at the manufacturing giant on Twitter and called for the government to cancel its deal with Boeing to develop the next generation of Air Force One, citing cost overruns.

“Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Cancel order!”

In a statement, Boeing countered that its current deal with the Air Force is for $170 million in design work. But the Defense Department has indicated it could spend nearly $3 billion over five years to design and develop replacements for the pair of jets that serve as Air Force One. And defense experts say a $4 billion total price-tag is a reasonable estimate of total costs.

Trump slams Boeing deal for new Air Force One

By the end of the day Tuesday, Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenberg had spoken with Trump and had promised to work with the new administration to rein in costs, Boeing spokesman Gordon Johndroe told The Washington Post this week.

In an interview Wednesday on NBC, Trump called Muilenberg a "very good man" and said, "we're going to work it out."

When asked about donations to inaugural activities, Johndroe said in an email to USA TODAY: “We are pleased to continue our tradition of supporting presidential inaugurations.”

Trump’s inaugural fundraising committee has not released a budget but aims to raise as much as $75 million, according to media accounts. The New York Times this week reported that organizers already have collected some $50 million, putting the Trump team on pace to exceed the $53 million Obama raised from private sources for his first inauguration in 2009.

Big benefactors will enjoy big benefits, according to a widely circulated fundraising brochure.

Among the perks for “underwriters” who contribute $1 million or more: eight tickets to a candlelight dinner at which Trump and his wife Melania will appear.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...ents/95164604/

LOL!!! One day he tells the world he will cancel Boeing's $4 billion 8 year contract to build 2 new Air Force One planes, Boeing's stock drops by 1.1%, and the next day Boeing is contributing $1 million to Trump's Inauguration events.

How long do you think it will be before Boeing cancels their China plant? Because you know that's what this is all about, cancelling that project in China and keeping those jobs in the United States.

Our dear Mr. Trump is a Master of the Game. Thank God he's on our side.

Originally Posted by Judy

LOL!!! One day he tells the world he will cancel Boeing's $4 billion 8 year contract to build 2 new Air Force One planes, Boeing's stock drops by 1.1%, and the next day Boeing is contributing $1 million to Trump's Inauguration events.

How long do you think it will be before Boeing cancels their China plant? Because you know that's what this is all about, cancelling that project in China and keeping those jobs in the United States.

Our dear Mr. Trump is a Master of the Game. Thank God he's on our side.

This had nothing to do with Trump did or didn't do. Boeing had already committed to the donation. Actually, according to the article, Boeing donated the same amount to Obama's inauguration. Personally, no matter the reason, I don't approve of any political figure accepting such a large corporate donation. Obviously Boeing is not the only corporation to do it and Trump is certainly not the only one it's done for. Sounds like accepting these large corporate donation for the inauguration has been happening for some time. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Well, that makes it even more remarkable, doesn't it? He just canceled a $4 billion contract on a $1 million inauguration donor. Our man can't be bought. He wants that China plant cancelled that's why he's doing this.

Well, that makes it even more remarkable, doesn't it? He just canceled a $4 billion contract on a $1 million inauguration donor. Our man Trump can't be bought. He wants that China plant cancelled and I think that's why he's doing this

Originally Posted by Judy

Well, that makes it even more remarkable, doesn't it? He just canceled a $4 billion contract on a $1 million inauguration donor. Our man can't be bought. He wants that China plant cancelled that's why he's doing this.

Please don't read something into this that isn't actually there. He called for a cancellation of the planes because they're simply overpriced. Anyway, that what the article says his motivation is. As for the donation, the money was already committed (maybe even paid).