Willie Brown calls Trump helicopter story ‘creative fiction’
By Lauren Irwin - 8/9/24, 8:50 AM EDT
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said former President Trump’s story about nearly dying in a helicopter with him was not true, calling it “creative fiction.”
At a press conference from his Mar-a-Lago estate Thursday, Trump said he and Brown were once in a helicopter that was forced to make an emergency landing.
“Well, I know Willie Brown very well,” Trump said, claiming they shared a rough helicopter ride.
“We thought maybe this was the end,” Trump said. “We were in a helicopter, going to a certain location together, and there was an emergency landing. This was not a pleasant landing."
The former president said Brown, a Democrat, told him "terrible things" about Vice President Harris on the flight.
Brown disputed that claim to KRON4 later Thursday.
“He was doing what Donald does best: his creative fiction,” he said with a laugh, the outlet reported.
Brown, who helped kickstart Harris’s career in politics, told the outlet he has never done business with Trump.
“And secondly, I don’t think I’d want to ride on the same helicopter with him. There’s too many people that have an agenda with reference to him, including the people who service helicopters,” he said.
Others have disputed Trump’s story about that helicopter ride, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who was on the flight and called Trump's story "B.S."
The New York Times reported it was a different Brown on the flight: Newsom's predecessor, former Gov. Jerry Brown (D).
“There was no emergency landing and no discussion of Kamala Harris," Jerry Brown told the Times through a spokesperson.
The 90-year-old Willie Brown recently shared his thoughts on Harris’s whirlwind campaign after she took over the top of the Democratic ticket when President Biden dropped his bid.
Harris is one of the former mayor's protege’s. They dated in the '90s, a relationship that was used against her when she campaigned in 2020 for the presidential nomination.
Brown said he is supporting Harris in her campaign. He told KRON4 on Thursday that she is a good friend, “absolutely beautiful,” “smart as hell” and very successful.
“I was a part of every campaign that she’s ever been involved in, supported her religiously, and will still do so,” he said. “And I am just looking forward to the next 89 days.”
“I just can’t wait to get her in as president,” Brown said.
The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.