This post has been updated.
The political arm of the conservative group Club for Growth on Tuesday announced that the organization will spend a million dollars on ads in Iowa attacking Donald Trump as too liberal.
The first ad, “Politician,” highlights Trump’s “very liberal” record on tax policy and health care. The ad’s narrator says, “He’s really just playing us for chumps.” The spot concludes by calling Trump “the worst kind of politician.”
The second Club for Growth Action ad, titled “100%,” hits Trump for comments supporting eminent domain so that “he can make millions while we lose our property rights.”
“Club for Growth Action believes that Trump is the worst Republican candidate on economic issues – plain and simple. In fact, short of Bernie Sanders, he may be the most liberal candidate in the whole field on fiscal policy,” the group said in a statement. “Not only has Trump been all over the map on key economic issues – but he has taken several positions that are downright horrendous!”
The group spent more than $1 million on the two 30-second ads, which will run in Iowa on broadcast, cable and satellite television, as well as online.
The Club for Growth attack on Trump follows a Twitter feud between the group and presidential candidate earlier in September. Trump said that he had declined a Club for Growth request for a $1 million donation. The organization hit back saying that Trump had asked for the meeting and attempted to “buy us off.”
Trump later retweeted a letter that appears to show the Club for Growth asking Trump for a donation in June.
“@TheUSDesigns: @seanhannity WOW! Here is letter that mafia organization of extortion, Club for Growth, sent pic.twitter.com/23mmupZcLw“
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2015
Late update: Following the Club for Growth’s announcement on Tuesday, Trump criticized the organization and defended his tax plan in a series of tweets.
My plan will lower taxes for our country, not raise them. Phony @club4growth says I will raise taxes—just another lie.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2015
.@club4growth asked me for $1 million. I said no. Now falsely advertising that I will raise taxes. I’ll lower big league for middle class.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2015
The polls are really looking good—#1 everywhere despite all lobbyist & special interest $ being spent against me. I’m turning down millions.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 15, 2015
Well. That letter Trumps the Club For Growth ad for sure. Dumbasses. Probably good for a 2 point bump for Trump before the week ends.
Great. Trump/Sanders '16!!
And how, exactly will this will hurt Trump with respect to the Social Security and Medicare-loving, banker and hedge-fund manager hating, yet nativist, racist base?
Second choice? Any other GOP candidate.
I’m thinking they should blame FOX news for the attractiveness of Trump and his egotistical and ignorant blatherings. They’ve got people so riled up they’re looking for their next knight in shining armor.