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Instead of appearing on an Iowa stage with his presidential competitors at a Jan. 28 Republican debate, Trump hosted what his campaign called a “special event to benefit veterans organizations” that night, later saying it raised $6 million. Later, questions arose as to which organizations benefited from the event, when the groups received the funds and how much was allocated. Trump announced last week he had donated $1 million of his own money.

Trump today criticized the media for being “dishonest” and “unfair,” saying he has never received such “bad publicity” for doing a “good job.”

“I don’t want the credit for it, but I shouldn’t be lambasted,” he insisted.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, unveiled a proposal on veterans and their families and hosted a national press call with Florida veterans to “call out Donald Trump’s hypocrisy,” according to a campaign press release

In New York, veterans organized by an outside Democratic group protested outside Trump Tower during the real estate mogul’s news conference.

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