Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump and longtime conservative U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) are close allies these days, with Sessions often mentioned as a potential vice presidential running mate for the billionaire real estate mogul. But back in 2002, the pair were not quite as close. In fact, Trump donated $1,000 to Sessions’ Democratic opponent and hosted a fundraiser for her in Trump Tower in New York City.
Federal filings show the New York billionaire supported Sessions’ opponent in Sessions’ 2002 reelection campaign, Alabama State Auditor Susan Parker. Parker is a Democrat and was the first woman in Alabama to be nominated for a senate seat.
According to Federal Election Commission records, Trump donated $1,000 to Parker’s campaign to unseat Sessions at a 2002 fundraiser held in Trump Tower on New York’s Fifth Avenue.
Among the Democrats who were expected to attend that event? Hillary Clinton, then a New York senator.
Sessions trounced Parker on election day, but did not have his first real interaction with Trump until several years later.
The first time the two met face to face was at a Senate Subcommittee hearing back in 2005. Renovations to the United Nations building in New York City were being plagued by cost overruns, missed deadlines and incompetence, and Trump had decided to come to the United States Senate to offer his services free of charge to help get the project back on track.
(Video below: Donald Trump testifies on renovating the U.N. building)
The U.N. wanted to renovate its headquarters in New York City and estimated the cost at $1.5 billion. Trump estimated that the cost of fixing the U.N. building would be “$700 million, tops.”
“Anyone who says renovation is more expensive than building a new one doesn’t know the business,” said the New York Real Estate developer. “It only costs a fool more.”
Sessions, who sat smiling throughout Trump’s testimony, called him a “breath of fresh air.”
(Video below: Senator Sessions and Donald Trump hold a press conference after his testimony)
During an interview on Yellowhammer Radio, Sessions recalled the story, calling Trump’s remarks “the most impressive Congressional testimony I’ve ever heard.”
The entire interview with Senator Sessions from Yellowhammer Radio can be heard in the video below. Search “Yellowhammer Radio” on iTunes to listen on podcast.
(Video below: Senator Sessions interviewed by Cliff Sims on Yellowhammer Radio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsX_V4hqeo&feature=youtu.be
