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Head Scratchers

Donald Trump Compares OWS Protesters to Ex-Cons, Homeless People [VIDEO]

2:02 pm, November 4th | by Amy Tennery


A week ago Donald Trump went on “Piers Morgan Tonight,” and described the Occupy Wall Street movement as “sort of cool,” and noted that “there’s something I like about it.”

Now, he says he’s not a fan. Why?

In his latest impression of a younger, more hostile Andy Rooney desk-side chat, Trump called out Occupy Wall Street protesters for their conflicts with homeless individuals purportedly encroaching on their turf. In Trump’s defense, mounting tensions between Occupy protesters and the homeless have been documented across the country.

But then, things get a little weird. Here’s what Trump said:

“They’re complaining that homeless people and people from Rikers Island — that’s a prison and it’s a rough prison — when they get released are going down to Wall Street and taking their food. They don’t want homeless people taking their food. They don’t want prisoners and ex-prisoners taking their food. They said it’s unfair… It’s very interesting because what they’re saying about the rich is what they’re doing to the homeless. Unbelievable. It’s a great story, nobody covers it. But just think about it. They’re really upset that homeless people are taking their food.”

So let’s just back up here. Now, I know there are some radical people among the Occupy Wall Street protesters, who want some radical things. And I know trying to argue what exactly the basic tenets of the movement are isn’t particularly easy — mostly because the cause is rather diffuse.

But I think we can agree (maybe?) that the majority of supporters there are looking for a handful of key things: heightened financial regulations, greater transparency among the key financial institutions in the U.S. and fewer tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. I get that this is a more appealing doctrine to the left than to the right — but, again, this is what I’m assessing as the beliefs of the level-headed majority of Occupy Wall Street.

And yet somehow Trump equates this set of beliefs with a belief in handouts. This makes no sense.

You could argue all day whether or not OWS should welcome the homeless into their ranks. Some would say they have a moral obligation to so; others would say it dilutes resources for a (depending on your perspective) worthy cause. My feelings on the matter are irrelevant. But comparing OWS supporters to the homeless and (even more perplexingly) felons is a distortion of their goals. Maybe you don’t believe in more regulations on corporations or higher taxes for higher earners — and that’s fine. But Trump’s accusations miss the mark, big time.

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  • Anonymous

    I don’t agree with the Donald on much, but I think he sort of hit the nail on the head with this one

  • Anonymous

    enough with donald! i see tommy christopher is still writing his love stories for the left today……hey tommy, member of the fourth estate, how does it feel to ban people for a difference of opinion, a little maxrist maybe.  just because you banned me doesnt mean i dont still laugh at your articles

  • Anonymous

    What did you say that tommy banned you?

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    No big deal, many people compare Donald Trump to a horses ass!!

  • Anonymous

    He has two opposite opinnons, which one did he hit on the head

  • Anonymous

    Trump is like the new Osama, releasing ranting videos that nobody cares about

  • http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

    I wonder who the fellow/lady paid to aim the camera at the yelling man might be.  Heck of a job.  

  • Anonymous

    i disagreed with his article, no foul language , no name calling, but thats all it takes

  • Anonymous

    this is why liberals get a bad rap, tommy….he wants to control your speech, opinion and thoughts , if not he will ban you (try to silence)

  • Anonymous

    You are one of the more reasonable guys.
    And they let the horrible potty mouths go on?
    What thread – I would like to see

  • Anonymous

    donald needs to get out more often and see what the real wold looks like

  • Anonymous

    thank you, but you have to ask tommy, but it was the herman cain owes politico a apology thread , oct 31

  • Anonymous

    They are a bunch of loser socialists!

  • Anonymous

    well sorry to hear

    Did you know that when you first visited Mediaite, Cosmos Dan and I (under another name) are the 2 who said welcome to you?

  • Anonymous

    Trump is right. OWS bums are too sorry to work, and too scared to steal. They are useless.

  • Bob

    Still waiting on the promised tax returns and ‘Amazing things” discovered by Trump the Liar’s Super Secret Hawaiian Birther Task Force. Until he produces both, this POS has no credibility on anything.

  • Bob

    I guess we can’t all inherit daddy’s millions, lose them running a company into the ground and then grovel for Reality TV show cash, like Trump the Liar does.

  • I am Who I am

    Hey look it’s Donald not making any sense on camera…..shocking.

  • Anonymous

    you and dan are alright, good people

  • Anonymous
  • http://www.facebook.com/MizDelight Christine Bryant

    The only thing he hit the nail on the head with is inciting fear. And that you agree with?

  • Anonymous

    Fact: Your not a liberal so don’t let this ban thingy last long because it is a little thin right now with the conservative view on Mediaite when they use their affirmative action acts!

    !

  • Anonymous

    Fact: OWS need to occupy a job first!

  • Anonymous

    Here’s an article that is the prefect response to Trump ….

    Occupy The New York Post By Russell Simmons

    Read more: http://globalgrind.com/news/occupy-wall-street-new-york-post-russell-simmons#ixzz1cmSNEABs

  • Anonymous

    Don’t forget about his serial bankruptcies.

  • Anonymous

    i’m not changing my log in name, people will have to lobby tommy to let me back…….its the principle of the thing

  • Anonymous

    Like we won’t forget about your serial delusional behavior.

  • Anonymous

    That was highly unoriginal. You posted the same URL to me on a different subject.

    Kitty getting lazy.

  • Streets

    It doesn’t sound like he is comparing them to homeless and ex-cons. There are actual homeless and ex-cons coming and taking the food provided for the protestors. It is literal, not figurative. Trump is just suggesting that the OWS people should not be complaining about this, they are acting selfish like they accuse the 1% of being. If he is comparing anything, he is just saying to give the homeless and ex-cons a break and let them eat. Or at least stop whining about it.

  • Tim Howe

    ridiculous…dont give him that power.  just use another monnicker and taunt him and when he bans you again -use another then another and another and so on

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TWK2YYJTTIDLZIVV7NKZM23Z6Q Tyler

    Trump is a total flip-flopper! 

  • Anonymous

     i see tommy christopher posted another hack article on cain today, adding his slant and lies

  • Anonymous

    victims of a sexual offense? wow tommy reaching arent we

  • Anonymous

    mr. abrams, i cant believe you let a hack like tommy christopher ban people when he makes stuff up for his articles

  • Anonymous
  • Iamthe53%

    I think Mr. Trump is absolutely accurate in saying this. “…others would say it dilutes resources for a (depending on your perspective) worthy cause.” –this is probably the same justification those corporations used when defending their decisions. It is highly hypocritical to claim you are fighting for the majority of underprivileged individuals and families, yet turn your back on the MOST underprivileged of them all. Let us not forget that these homeless people are in fact homeless because of the inefficiencies of the economy which was caused by the greed of corporations (the very issue OWS is against). By refusing to help these particular individuals, it is a blatant reflection of the same behavior occurring in corporate America. How are they different then, from those who are greedy? When they themselves are portraying the same?

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