Self righteous? Public shaming? Underhanded bullying? You be the judge:
The Anti-Defamation League will redirect the total amount of contributions it has received over the years from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his foundation – about $56,000 – to pay for new anti-bias and anti-bullying education programs across America.
Perhaps they should look into programs that teach gratitude and appreciation instead?
“In the past decade or so, Mr. Trump and his foundation have contributed a total of $56,000 to our organization. These undoubtedly were sincere gifts,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “But in light of the recent campaign, we have decided to redirect the total amount of funds that he contributed to ADL over the years specifically into anti-bias education programs that address exactly the kind of stereotyping and scapegoating that have been injected into this political season.”
Of course, they could give the money back. Instead they opted for the cheap shot approach.
In advance of Trump’s speech to AIPAC on Monday, ADL called on other groups, philanthropies and nonprofits to consider redirecting charitable funds given to them by Trump into “similar initiatives to combat hate, promote tolerance, and build a stronger American community.”
Greenblatt wrote that ADL’s decision to redirect those funds came in light of Trump’s “penchant to slander minorities, slur refugees, dismiss First Amendment protections and cheer on violence” on the campaign trail.
“We are taking this step to demonstrate that, even as the campaign has surfaced ugly rhetoric, we can reach higher,” said Greenblatt. “Even as his campaign has mainstreamed intolerance, we can push back on the hate and evoke our better angels not just with words, but with deeds.”
One can’t help but wonder if the ADL would have been as quick to bite Trump’s hand that feeds them if the checks he had written totaled, say, $560,000.
