Fact Check: Trump III claims his uncle can't stick to a message like he used to.

Fact Check: "Trump III claims his uncle can't stick to a message like he used to."

What We Know

Fred Trump III, the nephew of former President Donald Trump, has recently published a memoir titled All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got to Be This Way. In this book, he makes several claims about his uncle's behavior and comments, particularly regarding people with disabilities. According to reports, Fred Trump III alleges that during a conversation in the Oval Office, Donald Trump suggested that “maybe those kinds of people should just die,” referring to individuals with disabilities and the financial burden of their care (New York Times, Washington Post). This remark reportedly marked a turning point in their relationship, leading Fred Trump III to publicly criticize his uncle after years of silence.

Fred Trump III describes his uncle as having an innate lack of empathy, a sentiment echoed by his sister, Mary Trump, who has also been critical of Donald Trump in her own writings. In contrast, Donald Trump's spokesperson has dismissed Fred Trump's claims as "completely fabricated" and "total fake news" (New York Times, ABC News).

Analysis

The claims made by Fred Trump III regarding Donald Trump's comments about disabled individuals are serious and highlight a significant familial rift. The reliability of Fred Trump's account is bolstered by his personal experiences and long-standing relationship with Donald Trump, which he describes as both close and complicated. His assertion that the comments were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of behavior suggests a deep-seated issue with empathy, particularly concerning vulnerable populations.

However, the reliability of these claims is somewhat undermined by the absence of corroborating evidence and the highly charged nature of family dynamics. Donald Trump's spokesperson's vehement denial of these allegations raises questions about the motivations behind both Fred Trump's revelations and the former president's responses. The spokesperson's assertion that such stories have been "thoroughly debunked" is vague and lacks specific references to any prior refutations (Washington Post, ABC News).

Moreover, the context in which these comments were made—during a private conversation—means they cannot be independently verified. This lack of direct evidence makes it challenging to fully assess the truth of Fred Trump's claims.

Conclusion

The claim that Fred Trump III asserts his uncle cannot stick to a message like he used to is Partially True. While Fred Trump III's allegations about Donald Trump's comments regarding disabled individuals are serious and reflect a personal and familial conflict, the lack of corroborating evidence and the highly subjective nature of personal accounts complicate the matter. The truth may lie somewhere in between, with Fred Trump III's experiences reflecting a genuine concern about his uncle's behavior, while also being influenced by their complicated family history.

Fact Check: Trump III claims his uncle can't stick to a message like he used to.