Earlier today, MSNBC’s Ari Melber reported that Donald Trump would not “rule out using new donations” to repay the the millions of dollars he’s loaned his campaign to date, which caused a minor boomlet of mockery directed at the presumptive nominee. Some examples:
New: Trump Campaign Won't Rule Out Using New Donations to Pay Donald Trump $36 Million for Loan https://t.co/C6EVPNOi1l
— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) May 13, 2016
It's like the Big Short, except we can see it all in real time… https://t.co/DgEr0cKGWd
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) May 13, 2016
“It’s very possible that I could be the first presidential candidate to run and make money on it.” —Trump in 2000 https://t.co/u6xh4QZ28A
— David A. Graham (@GrahamDavidA) May 13, 2016
"When I said self-funding, I meant self-interim-financing." https://t.co/WQXsT1ah5S
— David Frum (@davidfrum) May 13, 2016
The gelatinous Trump: I'll spend my own money; I'll take big campaign $$; I'll repay myself with big-donor $$. https://t.co/I1WhA1MG5G
— Wayne Slater (@WayneSlater) May 13, 2016
Trump has since pushed back, telling Melber about an hour ago that he has “no intention” of paying himself back and declaring the money “a contribution made in order to ‘Make America Great Again'”:
Here is Donald Trump's entire statement to me about turning $50 million of loans into a campaign contribution: pic.twitter.com/QSCF9LJqlV
— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) May 13, 2016
According to Melber, Trump has until August to change his mind:
Voters *will* find out before November if Trump does use donations to pay himself back – deadline is August, thanks to McCain Feingold law.
— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) May 13, 2016
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