An architect cited by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during Monday night’s presidential debate spoke to MSNBC today. He explained how he was ripped off by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to the tune of over $100,000. It was devastating to Trump’s claim that his business record proves he’d make a good president.
It was one of Clinton’s many successful jabs at Trump during the Hofstra University debate:
“I have met a lot of the people who were stiffed by you and your businesses, Donald. I’ve met dishwashers, painters, architects, glass installers, marble installers, drapery installers, like my dad was, who you refused to pay when they finished the work that you asked them to do.
We have an architect in the audience who designed one of your clubhouses at one of your golf courses. It’s a beautiful facility. It immediately was put to use. And you wouldn’t pay what the man needed to be paid, what he was charging you to do…”
Trump’s answer was grudging and defensive:
“Maybe he didn’t do a good job and I was unsatisfied with his work.”
On Tuesday that architect, Andrew Tesoro, visited MSNBC and demolished Trump’s claim. First Tesoro debunked Trump’s smear by reading from a letter of recommendation that Trump wrote soon after Tesoro’s project was completed. The letter said:
“Andrew Tesoro is a dedicated, enthusiastic, talented and solid professional. He did a great job for me and I heartily recommend him to anyone who may need the services of a top-notch architect.”
Apparently, Trump negotiated down a big chunk of Tesoro’s fee with a promise of future work and opportunities. Tesoro told MSNBC:
“Mr. Trump has an amazing way of telling people what they want to hear, as he did with me.”
But Trump reneged on his promises of future work, too. Tesoro said:
“None of that has happened. Nothing whatsoever. Not even a referral.”
What was just as bad, though not touched on in the MSNBC interview, was that Trump boasted about his predatory behavior as good business practice. From The New York Times transcript:
“Look, it’s all words, it’s all sound bites. I built an unbelievable company. Some of the greatest assets anywhere in the world.
[…]
Now, if you want to change the laws, you’ve been there a long time, change the laws. But I take advantage of the laws of the nation because I’m running a company. My obligation right now is to do well for myself, my family, my employees, for my companies. And that’s what I do.“
Mr. Tesoro is certainly living proof of Trump’s lack of concern for any but his own financial interests.
Watch it below, via YouTube.
(H/T Raw Story.)
Featured image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr. Available through Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike Generic license 2.0
