Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown threatens legal action against Donald Trump over a helicopter story that never happened, bringing their complicated connections with Vice President Kamala Harris into the spotlight.
At a Glance
- Willie Brown denies ever being in a helicopter with Trump and threatens to sue for defamation.
- Trump claims he and Brown had a near-death experience in a helicopter together.
- The incident appears to be a case of mistaken identity, possibly confusing Brown with another politician.
- Brown emphasizes he doesn’t want negative associations to affect Vice President Kamala Harris.
- The dispute highlights the potential legal consequences of public figures spreading misinformation.
Brown Refutes Trump’s Helicopter Story
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown has firmly denied ever being in a helicopter with former President Donald Trump, let alone experiencing a near-death incident. This comes in response to Trump’s recent claims about a harrowing helicopter ride they supposedly shared. Brown’s forceful rebuttal has escalated to the point of threatening legal action against Trump for what he considers defamatory statements.
The controversy began when Trump, during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, recounted a story of a treacherous helicopter ride with Brown. Trump claimed, “I know Willie Brown very well. In fact, I went down in a helicopter with him. We thought maybe this was the end.” This story, which Trump also included in his 2023 book “Letters to Trump,” has been categorically denied by Brown.
Mistaken Identity and Political Implications
It appears that Trump may have confused Willie Brown with another politician, possibly former California Governor Jerry Brown or former California state senator Nate Holden. Interestingly, Nate Holden has come forward claiming he was indeed in a helicopter with Trump in 1990 that nearly crashed, lending credence to the theory of mistaken identity.
The situation is further complicated by Brown’s past relationship with Vice President Kamala Harris. Brown, who is 31 years older than Harris, had a well-publicized alleged affair with her in the 1990s when he was Speaker of the California State Assembly. Trump alluded to this relationship, suggesting that Brown had spoken negatively about Harris to him – a claim Brown vehemently denies.
Legal Threats and Political Fallout
Brown’s lawyer, Joe Cotchett, has supported the legal threat against Trump. Brown himself has stated, “If he keeps it up, at some point, I’m going to give him a taste of his own conduct. If he sues The New York Times for printing that I said he lied, I’m going to sue him.” This standoff highlights the potential legal consequences of public figures spreading misinformation or making false claims about others.
The dispute has drawn attention to the complex web of relationships in American politics, particularly the past connection between Brown and Harris. Brown has emphasized that he does not want any negative association with him to affect Vice President Harris, suggesting that Trump’s story may be a deliberate attempt to discredit her.
Ongoing Controversy and Responses
As the controversy continues to unfold, both sides seem entrenched in their positions. Trump has repeated his claims on his social media platform, Truth Social, and has even threatened to sue The New York Times for reporting the story as false. Meanwhile, Brown maintains his stance, stating he doesn’t want an apology from Trump, just for him to stop mentioning his name.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of public figures using their platforms to spread unverified information. As the legal threats loom and the political implications continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how this dispute will ultimately be resolved and what impact it may have on the broader political landscape.
Sources:
- Willie Brown to Donald Trump: Mention My Name Again and Get Sued
- Willie Brown threatens to sue Trump over helicopter ride story
- Willie Brown Considers Suing Trump
- Willie Brown to Donald Trump: Mention My Name Again and Get Sued
- The Former Mayor of San Francisco Is Threatening to Sue Donald Trump. Here’s Why