Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump responded on Wednesday to news that Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) plans to launch attack ads against him by saying that the senator asked him for money during a golf outing several months ago.
Trump told CNN Host Jake Tapper during an interview on Wednesday that Paul was the one who invited him for the outing.
“I ended up playing golf with him probably seven or eight months ago. He couldn’t have been nicer. He was very nice. He wanted my support. He wanted to know if I would contribute to his doctor situation, which is very good, where he helps children with the eyes,” Trump said.
Paul founded an eye clinic that gives exams and surgeries to needy families.
“I think he’s a far better doctor than he is a senator, and, you know, it’s — I mean, it’s fine, they’re trying to do a little bit of a number,” Trump said.
Trump, who was also responding to a CNN/ORC International Poll that showed him on atop the Republican field among likely Iowa caucus goers, noted Paul’s recent decline in voter support.
Trump also took a dig at the fact that a longtime adviser to the Paul family was recently indicted in a bribery case along with others in connection to 2012 presidential campaign by Rand’s father, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX).
“Hasn’t his whole team been indicted?” Trump said.
Tapper acknowledged the indictments.
“Yeah, they’ve been indicted, so he’s a mess,” Trump said. “There’s no question about it.”
