George W Bush charged a charity $100,000 to guarantee his presence at fundraiser for military veterans wounded in the Iraq war

  • The former president offered to charge $100,000 'rather than $250,000'
  • Was also flown by private jet to the 2012 event, the charity footed the bill
  • It came a year after his wife Laura received $50,000 from Helping A Hero
  • The Texas-based charity claims his attendance raised an extra $1m
  • But veterans on the board slammed the news as a 'slap in the face'

George W Bush charged a charity $100,000 to guarantee his attendance at a fundraiser for military veterans wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq, it has been reported.

The former president was also flown from Dallas to Houston by private jet and provided accommodation, which added $70,000 to Helping A Hero's bill, the charity told ABC News.

It transpires the extortionate fee was in fact a reduced rate, bartered down from $250,000.

And a year earlier, his wife former First Lady Laura Bush received $50,000 from the charity to make an appearance.

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Worth the night trip: George W Bush, pictured with Helping A Hero representatives, charged $100,000 for his attendance at a fundraiser for military veterans wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq, it has emerged

Worth the night trip: George W Bush, pictured with Helping A Hero representatives, charged $100,000 for his attendance at a fundraiser for military veterans wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq, it has emerged

The news prompted outrage from board members who served in the war Bush declared during his tenure

The news prompted outrage from board members who served in the war Bush declared during his tenure

The revelation has sparked outrage among many of the board members who lost limbs fighting the War On Terror which Bush declared in 2003.

'You sent me to war, I was doing what you told me to do, gladly for you and our country and I have no regrets. But it’s kind of a slap in the face,' raged former Marine Eddie Wright on ABC News. 

Wright lost both hands in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004 after being hit by a rocket.

'For him to be paid to raise money for veterans that were wounded in combat under his orders, I don’t think that’s right,' Wright added.

In a comment emailed to Daily Mail Online, Helping A Hero spokesman Robert Clark said: 'We are proud that President Bush attended the Helping a Hero Gala. The event raised significant funds that are putting our nation's heroes into specially adapted homes throughout the United States. His presence was appreciated by the veterans and supporters of the organization.' 

The charity's lawyer Christopher Tritico seconded that Bush's presence at the event was likely a factor in boosting their revenue for that year.

Their IRS form shows the charity raised $2,450,000 after expenses. In 2013, they made $1,000,000.

A year before Bush (pictured with Helping A Hero) spoke, his wife received $50,000 from the charity

A year before Bush (pictured with Helping A Hero) spoke, his wife received $50,000 from the charity

The charity offers medical, emotional and financial support for service men and women wounded in battle

The charity offers medical, emotional and financial support for service men and women wounded in battle

However, Tritico admitted it is something the former president will struggle to justify.

'I think it's a valid question for the former president,' he told ABC News. 'It's not a valid question for a charity who raised an extra million dollars.'

The news comes after widespread coverage of the Clintons' lucrative speech-making, which saw them climb into the top one per cent of wealthy Americans. 

Bill and Hillary have each charged around $275,000 per 10-minute speech at various events across the country. 

However, former president Clinton, and his predecessor George H W Bush, both claim they have never charged a charity.

A representative for Bush has yet to respond to Daily Mail Online's request for a comment. 

 

 

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