MSN
Secret recording reveals Australian billionaire pal was trashing Trump behind his back
October 22, 2023 4:00PM ET
Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago / Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead
New court documents reviewed by the New York Times reveal Donald Trump's Australian pal, Anthony Pratt, told a lot of people about life at Mar-a-Lago post-presidency. Among the things he said, involved trashing Trump behind his back.
Pratt, the Australian billionaire that Trump revealed classified information to, told around 45 people about the classified info as well as a number of things about his presidential pal.
Not only did Trump tell his wife, Melania, to strut around the property in a bikini, but Pratt paid Trump tens of thousands of overages for ticket prices for events at the country club.
POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?
"Another witness told prosecutors about hearing uncorroborated reports that Mr. Pratt spent $1 million for tickets to a Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve gala — voluntarily paying the club a huge markup for tickets that actually cost $50,000 or less, according to two people with knowledge of the previously unreported testimony," said the report.
It's unclear if Trump gave Pratt the classified intelligence before or after he voluntarily paid the club a huge markup for tickets.
The report explained that the ongoing investigation added to the barrage of information about the ways Trump entwined his personal business with the White House. After being elected to the presidency, Trump doubled the cost of a Mar-a-Lago membership to $200,000. A flood of individuals joined the club, including international people.
Unlike "most" who were paying for influence at Mar-a-Lago, Pratt "played the game better," said the report. "Mr. Pratt used his money and flattery to get on Mr. Trump’s radar: He lavished praise on him in public appearances, bought newspaper ads that hyped Mr. Trump as a job creator and became a member of Mar-a-Lago."
Behind Trump's back, he was trashing the president. "60 Minutes Australia" obtained a "covert recording" that revealed Pratt claiming Trump running his businesses "like the mafia."
Pratt also recalled a Dec. 2019 discussion where Trump shared a call he had with Iraq leaders after a military strike on Iranian-backed forces. A drone attack days later killed Iran's intelligence commander.
See the recording of Pratt in the video below or at the link here.
Leave a Comment