Trump Fires Back, Denies Report He Flushed Documents Down WH Toilet: “Categorically untrue and simply made up by a reporter in order to get publicity
Former President Donald Trump fired back at the media over recent reporting about fighting with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and flushing documents doen the White House toilet. Trump said:
“Following collaborative and respectful discussions, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) openly and willingly arranged with President Trump for the transport of boxes that contained letters, records, newspapers, magazines and various articles. Some of this information will someday be displayed in the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library for the public to view my Administration’s incredible accomplishments for the American People.
“The media’s characterization of my relationship with NARA is Fake News. It was exactly the opposite! It was a great honor to work with NARA to help formally preserve the Trump Legacy.
“The papers were given easily and without conflict and on a very friendly basis, which is different from the accounts being drawn up by the Fake News Media.
“In fact, it was viewed as routine and “no big deal.” In actuality, I have been told I was under no obligation to give this material based on various legal rulings that have been made over the years. Crooked Hillary Clinton, as an example, deleted and acid washed 32,000 emails and never gave that to the government.
“Then, they took large amounts of furniture out of the White House. And Bill Clinton kept numerous audio recordings that the archives wanted, but were unsuccessful at getting after going to court.
“We won’t even mention what is going on with the White House in the current, or various past administrations.
“Also, another fake story, that I flushed papers and documents down a White House toilet, is categorically untrue and simply made up by a reporter in order to get publicity for a mostly fictitious book.”
From Axios:
Driving the news: Trump also denied that he destroyed or flushed “papers and documents down a White House toilet.”
Reports show that during his presidency, Trump was known to destroy or restrict access to official presidential records.
While President Trump was in office, staff in the White House residence periodically discovered wads of printed paper clogging a toilet, per Maggie Haberman’s forthcoming book “Confidence Man.”
Catch up fast: NARA last month recovered 15 boxes containing information from Trump’s time at the White House that he took to Mar-a-Lago instead of handing over to the agency.
NARA said also that Trump representatives have informed the agency that “they are continuing to search for additional presidential records that belong to the National Archives.”
NEW!
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) February 10, 2022
President Donald J. Trump:
"Following collaborative and respectful discussions, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) openly and willingly arranged with President Trump for the transport of boxes that contained letters, records, newspapers, magazines… pic.twitter.com/4r1wnufbWI