Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 11:51 AM Oct 2016

Billionaire Richard Branson: Trump once invited me to lunch to share his ‘bizarre’ revenge fantasies

Source: RawStory

BRAD REED
21 OCT 2016 AT 11:40 ET

British billionaire Richard Branson says that his first encounter with Donald Trump was a memorable one — and not in a good way.

In a blog post on Virgin’s website, Branson recalls being invited by Trump to have lunch with him at his Manhattan apartment, where he mostly skipped over pleasantries and instead launched into a tirade about a topic near and dear to his heart: Exacting revenge on his foes.

“Even before the starters arrived he began telling me about how he had asked a number of people for help after his latest bankruptcy and how five of them were unwilling to help,” Branson writes. “He told me he was going to spend the rest of his life destroying these five people. He didn’t speak about anything else and I found it very bizarre.” Branson then says that Trump’s lust for vengeance against his detractors is the single most disturbing aspect of his presidential candidacy.

“I left the lunch feeling disturbed and saddened by what I’d heard,” he said. “What concerns me most, based upon my personal experiences with Donald Trump, is his vindictive streak, which could be so dangerous if he got into the White House. For somebody who is running to be the leader of the free world to be so wrapped up in himself, rather than concerned with global issues, is very worrying.”

-snip-



Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2016/10/billionaire-richard-branson-trump-once-invited-me-to-lunch-to-share-his-bizarre-revenge-fantasies/



From Branson's blog entry:

Later, I remember contrasting the lunch with a one-to-one lunch I shared with Hillary Clinton. Here we talked about education reform, the war on drugs, women’s rights, conflicts around the globe and the death penalty. She was a good listener as well as an eloquent speaker. As she understands well, the President of the United States needs to understand and be engaged with wider world issues, rather than be consumed by petty personal quarrels.
44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Billionaire Richard Branson: Trump once invited me to lunch to share his ‘bizarre’ revenge fantasies (Original Post) DonViejo Oct 2016 OP
That kind of hate eats you up inside until there is nothing left. appleannie1 Oct 2016 #1
It makes one wonder who or what bailed him out. gordianot Oct 2016 #2
The Russians. Maybe?Interesting... The Wielding Truth Oct 2016 #5
The currency may have been Rubles as well.... nt 4lbs Oct 2016 #6
didn't a Saudi prince bail him out at least once? NewJeffCT Oct 2016 #32
... SummerSnow Oct 2016 #3
That's funny! herding cats Oct 2016 #9
Spreadsheet, hell! jmowreader Oct 2016 #20
That's Sir Loser to you, Herr Trump! n/t mwooldri Oct 2016 #29
Richaard Branson is a billionaire--a REAL one. nt tblue37 Oct 2016 #44
Sir Richard Branson seems like a good person... I briefly met him and listened to a talk he gave groundloop Oct 2016 #4
Noticed the trend here? angrychair Oct 2016 #7
"the rest of his life destroying these five people" moondust Oct 2016 #8
he shouldn't even be running a business, let alone our government and military. NewJeffCT Oct 2016 #33
Trump is a con artist elmac Oct 2016 #10
Wrong word RoccoRyg Oct 2016 #38
Well, isn't he running now to prove something to Obama? milestogo Oct 2016 #12
jokes on him.. he's a LOSER.. BREMPRO Oct 2016 #15
Don't blame Trump Retired George Oct 2016 #14
Interesting, but totally believeable. smirkymonkey Oct 2016 #16
Why is he just coming out now??!?!?!? n/t Upthevibe Oct 2016 #18
and you could see him at the Al Smith dinner thinking the same thing jacksonian Oct 2016 #19
This is my fear NastyRiffraff Oct 2016 #23
Wonder if Clinton is one of those 5? intrepidity Oct 2016 #21
I would doubt that... but BumRushDaShow Oct 2016 #39
I wonder (and worry) what Trump will do roomtomove Oct 2016 #22
Branson is a 'loser', huh? Younger, richer, better looking. No wonder Trump hates him. Shrike47 Oct 2016 #24
"Trump’s lust for vengeance against his detractors is the single most disturbing aspect ..." Martin Eden Oct 2016 #25
It is worrisome coupled with him convincing his supporters the election is rigged liberal N proud Oct 2016 #28
Never even OCCURS to Trump that people don't like him. Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2016 #26
Donnie Darko is not kidding about putting Hillary in jail if he wins wishstar Oct 2016 #27
Perfect example of how hatred makes people stupid vlyons Oct 2016 #30
I admire that you are not "nurturing anger and hatred in my heart back towards him" Chemisse Oct 2016 #42
Trump is a very dangerous man. DLevine Oct 2016 #31
Very good observations n/t Zing Zing Zingbah Oct 2016 #34
Branson is a real self made billionaire Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Oct 2016 #35
K&R 👍🏼 Maru Kitteh Oct 2016 #36
Holy fuck, he's even more psychopathic than we suspected Fast Walker 52 Oct 2016 #37
well, it confirms what we all know, but I doubt it will mean a thing to his loyalists. niyad Oct 2016 #40
And he asked about nukes enough to make the generals and other c-levels crap their pants. Rex Oct 2016 #41
There's a certain personality type on display here.. neeksgeek Oct 2016 #43
Dec 1969 #
Dec 1969 #

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)
32. didn't a Saudi prince bail him out at least once?
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 02:48 PM
Oct 2016

I think he bought Trump's yacht at way more than market value.

jmowreader

(50,559 posts)
20. Spreadsheet, hell!
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 01:25 PM
Oct 2016

Donald Trump's enemies list is in Oracle on a Cray X/MP-48. It's the only way to manage a database with 7.12 billion records.

groundloop

(11,519 posts)
4. Sir Richard Branson seems like a good person... I briefly met him and listened to a talk he gave
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 12:04 PM
Oct 2016

He certainly didn't need to weigh in on our election, but I find it enlightening that he felt it was important enough to do so.

angrychair

(8,699 posts)
7. Noticed the trend here?
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 12:19 PM
Oct 2016

Actual, self-made, billionaires find Trump and his demeanor and business practices abhorrent.

Don't get me wrong, you don't become a self-made billionaire by being a Boy or Girl Scout but you push the envelope, you don't leave a trail of bankruptcies, lawsuits and pissed off employees in your wake.

moondust

(19,988 posts)
8. "the rest of his life destroying these five people"
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 12:31 PM
Oct 2016

Now why didn't all those women (and who knows how many others) come forward at the time he did them wrong?

Guess.

I imagine a lot of wrongdoing by the rich and powerful may never get reported.



Also, somebody with that kind of impulsive vindictiveness does not belong anywhere near the levers of government and the military.

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)
33. he shouldn't even be running a business, let alone our government and military.
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 02:51 PM
Oct 2016

I wouldn't put him in charge of the local McDonald's franchise. He'd be like the washed up Biff Tannen at the end of the original Back to the Future, groveling as he polishes Mr McFly's car.

 

elmac

(4,642 posts)
10. Trump is a con artist
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 12:36 PM
Oct 2016

he would have been in prison decades ago if he didn't have daddies money to put him into a powerful elite class. Elites can get away with anything in this country. Money is power & with that power comes a shield against justice.

RoccoRyg

(260 posts)
38. Wrong word
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 06:59 PM
Oct 2016

"Artist" implies a creative, imaginative person who passionately creates beautiful work that reflects deeper meanings. Such a term does not apply to the Donald.

milestogo

(16,829 posts)
12. Well, isn't he running now to prove something to Obama?
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 12:43 PM
Oct 2016

He's holding a grudge over some remarks made 5 years ago.

 

Retired George

(332 posts)
14. Don't blame Trump
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 12:45 PM
Oct 2016

The alien on his head who controls Donald is very resentful about the defeat of his species in the war on Tau Ceti V.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
16. Interesting, but totally believeable.
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 12:49 PM
Oct 2016

Can you imagine what it must be like to live your life like that? What a miserable human being!

jacksonian

(736 posts)
19. and you could see him at the Al Smith dinner thinking the same thing
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 01:18 PM
Oct 2016

we have not heard the last of Mr. Trump. The rest of his life is going to be dedicated to getting revenge on the country for his own hubris.

Such a small person. It'd be sad if it wasn't so wretched.

NastyRiffraff

(12,448 posts)
23. This is my fear
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 01:30 PM
Oct 2016

"we have not heard the last of Mr. Trump." It's not surprising that his major focus, maybe his only focus, is revenge on his perceived enemies. I agree that he is planning revenge on the country, probably in the forum of his deplorables whom he has been inciting to (let's call it by its right name) insurrection for months now.

Martin Eden

(12,869 posts)
25. "Trump’s lust for vengeance against his detractors is the single most disturbing aspect ..."
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 01:56 PM
Oct 2016

I believe this is one of the reasons for firing up the crowds at his rallies with dire warnings the election is being rigged and their country is being hijacked by Hillary Clinton and her evil conspirators.

The Secret Service will have their hands full protecting Madame President.

liberal N proud

(60,335 posts)
28. It is worrisome coupled with him convincing his supporters the election is rigged
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 02:07 PM
Oct 2016

Either he will try to push them to do something or he will try something himself.


He is a very dangerous man at this point.

wishstar

(5,270 posts)
27. Donnie Darko is not kidding about putting Hillary in jail if he wins
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 02:07 PM
Oct 2016

He is not just using hyperbole and exaggeration - the man is a dangerous sociopath and will use power of media to hurt her Presidency through his presence on a new Trump TV show or TV network. He will also continue funding James O'Keefe style hit jobs.

Luckily for us, Hillary and Dems are smarter and can handle his B.S. as evidenced by his unsuccessful attempts to embarrass and rattle her with his choice of guests for the last 2 Debates.

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
30. Perfect example of how hatred makes people stupid
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 02:11 PM
Oct 2016

Anger/hatred, ignorance, and greed are the 3 poisons in Tibetan Buddhism that create so much suffering, problems, and extremely bad outcomes. And these poisons are addictive. If someone allows their mind to continually nurture these negative emotions, then they take over the mind, preventing people from being happy, preventing people from having satisfying relationships, and just turning everything to bitter resentment and disappointment. I don't think that Donald Trump is a happy and contented man, do you?

I think that we have all seen how Trump is consumed with anger and can be quite vindictive and wanting to lash out and hurt those, whom he felt slighted by. Let this be a lesson for me to remember to see a Trump as he is, without me nurturing anger and hatred in my heart back towards him. No one likes being around a mean-spirited, bitter sour-pus.

Chemisse

(30,813 posts)
42. I admire that you are not "nurturing anger and hatred in my heart back towards him"
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 11:25 PM
Oct 2016

That is very hard for me to do at this point (although I certainly don't harbor the level of rage that Trump's supporters exhibit, by any means).

I want him to lose and lose big. I want him to be humiliated. I want him to be ostracized by all of polite society. I want his supporters to turn on him because they don't like losers.

These are corrosive feelings - which is why I am finding this election season so stressful.

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(108,010 posts)
35. Branson is a real self made billionaire
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 06:01 PM
Oct 2016

Drumpf is definitely not self made and it's doubtful he's a billionaire.

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
41. And he asked about nukes enough to make the generals and other c-levels crap their pants.
Fri Oct 21, 2016, 08:15 PM
Oct 2016

Republican national security experts warn AGAINST electing this moron! REPUBLICAN!

HOW MUCH LOUDER CAN IT GET? The GOP has put our country in peril yet again.

Cons need to clean their shit house up, it is stinking up the entire planet by now.

neeksgeek

(1,214 posts)
43. There's a certain personality type on display here..
Sat Oct 22, 2016, 12:26 PM
Oct 2016

A little anecdote of my own. An undergraduate professor of mine (who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons), taught me a lot about people who behave like Trump. I'm going to leave out a lot of details in an effort to not reveal who it is... I'll just describe the behavior.

- In spite of being an "expert" in the field, being wrong quite often.

- Shouted down students who questioned anything presented in class (saying things like "I am Dr so_and_so! How dare you question me!&quot .

- Threatened students with "you'll never get a position in this field, because I know everyone and I'll see to it that you aren't hired."

et cetera et cetera...

Fast forward 20 years to the present. I'm now a professor myself. A colleague introduced me to someone who knows my old professor. This person asked if I'd ever had a "shouting match" with that individual. Before I could answer, my colleague replied with "Hasn't everyone?"

Narcissists are like this; that's why I believe pretty much everything negative I hear about Trump from people who know him. It rings true.


Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Billionaire Richard Brans...