by
Matthew Moroun
Matthew Moroun, operator of the Ambassador Bridge, gave $1 million to a political action committee that supports Republican President Donald Trump less than a month before Trump posted on Truth Social a threat to delay the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge unless Canada met certain conditions, the Detroit News reprots.
The donation to super PAC MAGA Inc. surfaced in a monthly campaign finance disclosure submitted to the Federal Election Commission on Friday night, Craig Mauger of the News reports.
A spokesman for Moroun didn't immediately respond to The News for comment.
The White House on Friday told The News the president "has consistently and vocally stood up for American interests ― including against Canada."
“Infrastructure being built over America’s border that connects Canada’s $2.3 trillion economy to America’s $30 trillion economy should first and foremost benefit America and Americans," White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.
Moroun stands to lose big money once the Gordie Howe Bridge opens and takes away business from his bridge.
The Detroit News reported earlier that the Moroun family's Detroit International Bridge Co. spent at least $250,000 in the second half of last year lobbying the Trump administration on issues tied to international bridge construction and operation. Moroun used the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, whose Washington, D.C., office was formerly led by Trump's White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
In his Feb. 10 Truth Social posting Trump wrote:
"I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve. We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY."
"With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset. The revenues generated because of the U.S. Market will be astronomical. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
"As everyone knows, the Country of Canada has treated the United States very unfairly for decades. Now, things are turning around for the U.S.A., and FAST! But imagine, Canada is building a massive bridge between Ontario and Michigan. They own both the Canada and the United States side and, of course, built it with virtually no U.S. content."
"President Barack Hussein Obama stupidly gave them a waiver so they could get around the BUY AMERICAN Act, and not use any American products, including our Steel."
Truth is, Canada paid for entire $4.4 billion for the bridge and intends to recoup the money through tolls. After it has been paid in full, Canada and Michigan will split the revenue from the tolls.
Trump also falsely wrote that no U.S. steel was used for the bridge. U.S. steel was used, and scores of Americans worked on the bridge for years.
