*Ben Carson’s campaign is pushing back against a Politico report that stated he fabricated a story in his book about an offer to attend West Point.
Friday’s article under the headline “Ben Carson admits fabricating West Point scholarship” claims the Carson campaign admitted that the GOP presidential candidate made up a central portion of his biography — that he was offered a scholarship to West Point but turned it down to pursue a career as a physician.
“It’s completely B.S.,” said Carson senior strategist Ed Brookover to TheHill.com. “The headline and the lead are a complete injustice to good journalism.”
Asked if the Carson campaign has admitted to fabricating the story, Carson campaign manager Barry Bennett said “absolutely not.”
“He was offered an appointment which is very different from being offered admission,” Bennett said. “He has always said he did not pursue it.”
Carson’s rivals jumped at the chance today to capitalize on today’s headlines.
“Vote for me. I never said I went to West Point,” former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Friday at National Religious Liberties Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, according to Bloomberg.
And Donald Trump retweeted tweets from a handful of supporters bashing Carson.
“@Robostop10: @realDonaldTrump This is not good. https://t.co/lvv0MRfgtH” WOW, one of many lies by Ben Carson! Big story.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2015
“@BornToBeGOP: @realDonaldTrump @Robostop10 @politico How anyone could see him as president baffles me. Lies and insane theories.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2015
“@CaptainMark_: @Robostop10 KEEP IT COMMING TRUMP!!!! People need to be warned about that Carson figure who is not who they think!”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2015
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