While it’s Machiavellian for a prince to spend money to endear his subjects to him, it’s next-level cunning to use other people’s money. Of course, there would not be a Democrat elected in America without promising to redistribute the income of others, to their constituents. Donald Trump, complaining about whether CNN would treat him fairly, sent a letter to Jeff Zucker, president of CNN, asking him to donate the ad revenue CNN will make hosting the primary, to “the veterans.” In publicizing the letter, Trump play is doing what has now become a familiar MO – in a media dispute, invoke “the veterans” and by extension, the support of those who hold veterans in high regard. “While I refuse to brag,” Trump bragged, “as you know very well, this tremendous increase in viewer interest and advertising is due 100% to ‘Donald J. Trump.’ … I am self funding my campaign — I do not want money from lobbyists, donors or special interest groups. Likewise, you should view the second debate broadcast as a public service and not accept the massive profits that this airing will generate. I believe that all profits from this broadcast should go to various VETERANS groups, a list of which I will send to you in the near future.” While Trump is trying to leveraging CNN into doing what he wants, his ploy is also keeping him front and center with the rest of the media. Of course, Trump will show up for the CNN debate, and CNN won’t send a dime to “the veterans.”