On Thursday’s NBC Today, news anchor Natalie Morales seized on criticism of former President George W. Bush giving a paid speech to a veterans charity: “This morning some veterans are criticizing former President George W. Bush for charging a veteran's charity a six-figure fee to speak at a fundraising dinner....NBC News has confirmed the former president accepted $100,000 from them back in 2012.”
Morales noted: “The event raised almost $2.5 million.” She also cited the chairman of the organization, Helping a Hero, defending the event: “[He] says they are proud President Bush attended the gala and that his presence was appreciated by the veterans and supporters of the organization.”
The story was broken by ABC News chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross in a piece for ABCNews.com on Wednesday. The article, authored by Ross and reporter Megan Chuchmach, touted one of the veterans slamming Bush:
One of the wounded vets who served on the charity’s board told ABC News he was outraged that his former commander in chief would charge any fee to speak on behalf of men and women he ordered into harm's way.
“For him to be paid to raise money for veterans that were wounded in combat under his orders, I don’t think that’s right,” said former Marine Eddie Wright, who lost both hands in a rocket attack in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004.
“You sent me to war,” added Wright speaking of the former President. “I was doing what you told me to do, gladly for you and our country and I have no regrets. But it’s kind of a slap in the face.”
The item went on to declare: “As the commander-in-chief responsible for the prosecution of two bloody wars, Bush has faced a unique dilemma when it has come to addressing military veterans groups.”
ABC has yet to report the story on any of its broadcasts.
