Trump Crashed a Charity Event in 1996 for Kids With AIDS, Danced the Macarena, And Didn't Donate a Cent

In 1996, Donald Trump crashed a charity event benefitting children with AIDS and danced the Macarena—but didn't donate any money.

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Donald Trump often makes the news when it comes to his involvement with charities—but not for being philanthropic. For example, he's lied about donating to 9/11 charities, and he's been booed at a Catholic charity event. Now there are reports that in 1996, Donald Trump crashed a charity event and danced for cameras—and never donated a penny.

According to the Washington Post's David Fahrenthold, who's done some of the best reporting this election, the Association to Benefit Children, a charity, held a 1996 ribbon-cutting at a nursery school serving children with AIDS in Manhattan. Bigwigs who had donated a lot of money, like then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former mayor David Dinkins, and Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford were in attendance. But there was another dude who showed up—despite not being a major donor. Guess who. 

"Nobody knew he was coming," another donor in attendance told the Washington Post. "There's this kind of ruckus at the door, and I don't know what was going on, and in comes Donald Trump. [He] just gets up on the podium and sits down." 

According to the charity's executive director, Donald Trump had never given a single dollar to the charity or the nursery school. But you know who did? The dude whose seat was stolen by Trump.

Steven Fisher, a developer, had reportedly given a lot to the charity to build the nursery school. While the people sitting around Trump were concerned about him just showing up and jacking the Fisher's seat, the ceremony had already started and there wasn't much they could do by that point.

As photographers took pictures, a children's choir sang "This Little Light of Mine," all while Trump sat nearby, looking like he was actually an honored donor. Trump even did the Macarena with some of the children and stars onstage. 

After the event though, Trump left without explaining his uninvited attendance—and he reportedly exited without even donating anything either. 

The next day, the charity's executive director had to email Fisher to apologize. "I immediately said 'no,' but Rudy Giuliani said 'yes' and I felt I had to accede to him," the executive director explained. "I am just heartsick. I hope you can forgive me," the executive director pleaded.

Trump never apologized.

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