On Thursday night, while the rest of the Republican presidential field takes the stage in Iowa for yet another debate, Donald Trump will be hosting an event to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, one of the most visible veterans groups in the country.
But in the last 24 hours, the New York Times and CBS News separately published investigations into the organization’s questionable financial practices, discovering that Wounded Warrior Project spends just 60 percent of its budget on veterans, compared to groups like Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust that spend more than 90 percent. The investigations found that executives routinely spend lavishly on travel and food, and have a habit of firing those who question the organization’s decisions.
Meanwhile, other veterans groups like Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America are tiring of their role as campaign props for Donald Trump:
If offered, @IAVA will decline donations from Trump's event. We need strong policies from candidates, not to be used for political stunts.
— Paul (PJ) Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) January 27, 2016