As reported by Newsweek, former President Donald Trump has shared a story about a near-death experience he had while traveling in a helicopter with Willie Brown, the ex-boyfriend of current Vice President Kamala Harris.
At a press conference in Florida on Thursday, Trump mentioned an incident from years back involving an emergency helicopter landing. He admitted he hadn't seen Brown in a long time despite knowing him "pretty well" and vividly remembered the event as quite distressing.
Trump recounted that both he and Brown were genuinely fearful for their lives during the incident. This story has captured attention for its dramatic details and sheds light on Trump's past relationship with Brown and, indirectly, with Kamala Harris.
Trump's comments also touched on his knowledge of Brown's relationship with Kamala Harris, which dates back to the mid-1990s. Brown and Harris were romantically involved from 1994 to 1995, and during that time, Brown played a significant role in California politics. Trump mentioned that Brown had a "big part in what happened with Kamala," hinting that Brown’s influence may have contributed to Harris's political rise.
According to Trump, Brown spoke negatively about Harris during their interactions. The former president suggested that while Brown may have since changed his views, he was "not a fan of hers very much at that point." Trump’s recollections provide a glimpse into the complicated dynamics between these key political figures.
In the 1990s, Brown introduced Harris to Trump during a trip to New York City. Brown stated that Trump had invited him for advice on building in Los Angeles. While Harris did not attend the meeting, Brown mentioned that she traveled on Trump's plane from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Teterboro, New Jersey.
This isn't the first time Trump has spoken about a near-death experience involving a helicopter. In 1989, three of Trump's top executives were killed in a helicopter crash. Trump has previously stated that he almost joined them on that fateful flight but was too busy to board the helicopter. The story has been a subject of controversy, with several people within Trump's organization disputing the former president's account.
Bernie Dillon, the vice president of Trump Sports and Entertainment at the time, told the Associated Press that Trump "had definitely never planned to be on it." Barbara Res, a former executive in the Trump Organization, echoed this sentiment in a 2019 interview with MSNBC, calling Trump's claim "a total, total lie." Despite these disputes, Trump continues to recount the story as part of his personal narrative.
In discussing his more recent helicopter scare with Brown, Trump revisited the topic of his near-death experiences, adding to his long history of dramatic stories. His comments have also reignited interest in the role Brown played in the early stages of Kamala Harris's political career.
Willie Brown, who is no longer in contact with Harris, has recently voiced his opinions on the current political landscape. According to Politico, Brown has advocated for President Joe Biden to step down before the next election, allowing Harris to run as the incumbent. Brown has expressed concerns that Harris might suffer from "Hillary syndrome," a term he uses to describe the possibility that people may not like her.
However, Brown has also praised Harris's kindness and indicated his belief that she could win the upcoming election. He suggested that California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is seen as a potential presidential candidate, would have to wait eight years to take his turn, implying confidence in Harris's prospects.
In reflecting on Trump, Brown described him as an "entertainer" and attributed much of Trump's success to this persona. Brown’s acknowledgment of Trump’s entertainment value contrasts sharply with Trump's portrayal of Brown as a significant influence in Harris's career. The complex interplay between these figures continues to be a topic of public fascination, particularly as the next election cycle approaches.
In his recent press conference, Trump recounted a dramatic helicopter incident with Willie Brown, reviving interest in his relationship with the former San Francisco mayor and Kamala Harris. Trump’s narrative, which included reflections on Brown’s influence on Harris and disputes over Trump’s past near-death experiences, underscores the intricate web of connections that have shaped his political story.
