Donald Trump andKellyanne Conway— PresidentDonald Trump‘s eldest son and a senior White House aide, respectively — were quick this week to dash off sharp criticisms of the prominent figures accused inan elaborate series of college admissions scams.
But Don Jr. was soon labeled a hypocrite based on his admission to a college where his dad had vowed to be a generous donor.
Don Jr. has not responded to those criticisms and a spokeswoman for the Trump Organization, which he runs with his brother,Eric Trump, did not respond to a request for comment. (No member of the Trump family has been accused of any crimes related to their college admission.)
The social media back-and-forth this began with a string of tweets from both Conway, 52, and Don Jr., 41.
On Tuesday, after the news broke thatFelicity HuffmanandLori Loughlinwere among the dozens of people charged, Conway tweeted that the actresses must have “worried their daughters are as stupid as their mothers.”
In a second tweet on Tuesday, Conway listed off various suspects in the case including Huffman and Loughlin as well as top executives and others.
“YOU FAILED THESE KIDS,” she wrote.
Huffman is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.
Loughlin and her husband,J. Mossimo Giannulli, have been charged withconspiracy to commit mail fraudand honest services mail fraud.
Don Jr. — who has been a vocal surrogate for his father, adopting many of his same incendiary social media tendencies — seemed to take particular pleasure in Huffman and Loughlin being accused.
He sarcastically re-posted old tweets from both of them, captioning a 2016 tweet from Huffman about the best “hacks” for back-to-school with, “I’m learning some new ones as we speak. Stay tuned.”
Tuesday afternoon, he tweeted, “Is it just me or is everyone in Hollywood strangely silent today? Come on guys you’re always very vocal in forcing your opinions on everyone… What changed?”
As theWashington Postdetails, “News reports and investigations suggest the Trumps used money and connections to ease their access to top schools.”
ThePostcites the president’s pledged donations to Wharton, the University of Pennsylvania’s business school, and, according to biographer Gwenda Blair, reports that the president himself was able to interview with a “friendly” admissions officer during his own entrance at Wharton.
Such efforts put them in good company.
According to Daniel Golden’s bookThe Price of Admission, there are many legal if morally dubious ways that wealth and status manipulate the officially objective college admissions process — via donations, networking and more.
Golden says there are many examples beyond those in the Trump family.
“When it comes to trying to get your kids into the elite colleges, it’s not a matter of party affiliation or ideology,” he says. “It’s across the board, which is one reason why it’s so hard to change.”
• with STEVE HELLING
source: people.com
