Trump's nephew on GOP nominee: 'Every family has their crazy uncle'
Fred Trump III, the nephew of former President Trump, called his uncle "atomic crazy," alleging he did "really horrific things" to him and made inappropriate comments about those with disabilities.
The Trump way is "complex and sometimes cruel," Fred Trump said in an ABC News interview that aired Tuesday.
"And within every family, people know this, families are complicated. Every family has their crazy uncle," he added. "My uncle Donald is atomic crazy. And he has put his mark on the family history."
Fred Trump made the remarks on ABC's "Good Morning America" while promoting his new book, "All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way," which features "never-before-told stories" about the Trump family and Fred Trump's complex relationship with the former president.
When asked to clarify what he meant by "atomic crazy," Fred Trump said his uncle "does things" that make him "sort of shudder" and question if he really knows him.
"Is this the same guy I knew? What's making him change? What got him this way?" Fred Trump continued. "But that all being said, I've always had a good relationship, but he's done really horrific things to me, which some people will say, 'How could you still want to have a relationship with him?' He's my uncle, he's family, and that means a lot."
Fred Trump, the son of the former president's late brother, Fred Trump Jr., who died in 1981, told ABC News he saw his book as a way to advocate for those with developmental disabilities, which includes his son, William.
During one of his trips to the Oval Office, Fred Trump claimed his uncle suggested those with disabilities "should just die." He said a similar incident occurred on a phone call with Trump to tell him the medical fund set up by the family for William was running low.
"Without hesitation [Trump] said, 'Your son doesn't recognize you. Let him die and move to Florida,'" Fred Trump said. "My response was, 'No, Donald. He does recognize me.'"
"Was I surprised? I don't think you could hear something like that and not be surprised," he added. "But that is what he has become. It's sad."
The Hill reached out to Trump communications director Steven Cheung for comment.
Cheung denied Fred Trump's claims in a statement to ABC News.
"This is completely fabricated and total fake news of the highest order," he reportedly said. "It is appalling a lie so blatantly disgusting can be printed in media. Anyone who knows President Trump knows he would never use such language, and false stories like this have been thoroughly debunked."
Trump's nephew also weighed in on one of the book's chapters titled "The Race Card," in which he describes his uncle using a racial slur.
"I was about 10 years old, and I was at my grandparents' house, like I was a lot," Fred Trump said. "And Donald, I could hear him screaming. And I went down to the driveway of my grandparents' house, and there was his white El Dorado convertible with two slashes. Still remember it. And he had electrical tape, because the roof was black. And he used the word — the N word — twice just saying who he thought probably had done this."
The former president has not spoken publicly on the claim but has denied previous allegations that he used the racist slur during his time filming his show "The Apprentice."
When asked if he believes his uncle is a racist, Fred Trump responded, "He, at time[s], espouses things that people who I believe are racist espouses. That's the best I can answer that question."
Further pressed, Fred Trump said he doesn't believe the former president is a racist.
"I think that he uses people, whether they're Black or they're — whoever can help him he will use them," Fred Trump said. "And, you know, call it racist or not, I don't believe in that. He uses them as props. And when he gets what he needs out of them — votes — he'll cast them aside."
Fred Trump later told ABC he plans to vote for likely Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Harris, but would attend Trump's inauguration if invited.