Reagan White House Files Show Ronald and Nancy Repeatedly Snubbed Donald Trump and His 'Large Ego'
Donald Trump once invited Ronald and Nancy Reagan to a LaToya Jackson concert at his Atlantic City casino
By Tierney McAfee Published on June 22, 2016 04:50PM EDT
In 1986, a 40-year-old Donald Trump sent a letter to then-First Lady Nancy Reagan inviting her to stay at his Mar-a-Lago mansion – which, he informed her, was designed to be the “southern White House” – when she came down for the American Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach, Florida.
According to a Washington Post review of Reagan Library archives, the East Wing staff had no clue what Trump was talking about – the first lady had not been invited to the Red Cross ball – but Mrs. Reagan nevertheless drafted a hand-written letter declining the businessman’s invitation and telling him, “I am familiar with Mar-a-Lago.” Then, apparently thinking better of the potentially ego-stroking line – she crossed it out.
Trump’s ego – more so than Trump himself – was well-recognized at the Reagan White House, where, The Post‘s review of records found, aides sought to reject the mogul’s many overtures without wounding his pride.
Since launching his presidential bid last summer, Trump has frequently compared himself to Ronald Reagan and claimed a closeness with the 40th president – “He liked me,” Trump has said – that did not exist, the White House records suggest.
In 1987, White House Political Director Frank J. Donatelli wrote a memo asking Chief of Staff Howard Baker to reach out to Trump directly after the New York developer announced that he was weighing a request to headline a big fundraiser for congressional Democrats. “It would be most helpful if you would place a phone call to Don Trump today. He has a large ego and would be responsive to your call,” Donatelli wrote in the memo, underlining the word “large.” (Trump ultimately decided not to chair the event.)
The memo came amid a decade’s worth of almost-begging invitations Trump extended to the Reagans – all of which the president and first lady declined or ignored. Here are six examples, via The Washington Post:
• “In 1983, a request came in for a presidential telegram congratulating Trump on the grand opening of his eponymous tower on Fifth Avenue. A lawyer in the counsel’s office wrote ‘NO’ and explained internally that it would be inappropriate because it was a ‘commercial’ venture.