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George W Bush charged $100,000 to speak at fund-raising event for military veterans George W Bush charged $100,000 to speak at fund-raising event for military veterans
(34 minutes later)
George W Bush, the man held responsible by millions around the world for ordering the US invasion of Iraq, reportedly charged a charity $100,000 to speak at a fund-raising event for military veterans.George W Bush, the man held responsible by millions around the world for ordering the US invasion of Iraq, reportedly charged a charity $100,000 to speak at a fund-raising event for military veterans.
A series of reports said the former president billed the sum to Texas-based Helping a Hero for an event in 2012. The organisation also provided Mr Bush with a private jet to travel to the event, which cost an additional $20,000.A series of reports said the former president billed the sum to Texas-based Helping a Hero for an event in 2012. The organisation also provided Mr Bush with a private jet to travel to the event, which cost an additional $20,000.
Laura Bush, the former president’s wife, earned $50,000 after appearing for the group in 2011, ABC News reported.Laura Bush, the former president’s wife, earned $50,000 after appearing for the group in 2011, ABC News reported.
In 2014, President Obama said he would deploy around 300 additional troops to Iraq - bringing the total to 750
Helping a Hero told the news channel the $170,000 in total costs were worth it because the Bushes helped the group raise record funds in 2011 and 2012.Helping a Hero told the news channel the $170,000 in total costs were worth it because the Bushes helped the group raise record funds in 2011 and 2012.
“It was great because he reduced his normal fee of $250,000 down to $100,000,” said Meredith Iler, the charity’s former chairwoman.“It was great because he reduced his normal fee of $250,000 down to $100,000,” said Meredith Iler, the charity’s former chairwoman.
But a number of military veterans have criticised the former president.But a number of military veterans have criticised the former president.
A spokesperson for the former President, Freddy Ford, confirmed the payment but declined to comment on the criticism over the $100,000 speaking fee from the veterans' charity.A spokesperson for the former President, Freddy Ford, confirmed the payment but declined to comment on the criticism over the $100,000 speaking fee from the veterans' charity.
In an e-mail statement to the channel, Mr Ford said, “President Bush has made helping veterans one of his highest priorities in his post presidency.”In an e-mail statement to the channel, Mr Ford said, “President Bush has made helping veterans one of his highest priorities in his post presidency.”