Chapter 3503: Make Him Stink!

Bernard Elner's words caused the surrounding reporters' expressions to turn shocked and complex.

Some reporters from non-American media, upon hearing Bernard Elner donate money yet exclude America, had a gloating attitude.

While American media reporters, upon hearing this, immediately had unpleasant expressions, feeling their country was being discriminated against.

Actually, for America, two hundred million US dollars—let alone counter-terrorism—wasn't even enough to cover the vehicle and horse expenses nominally supporting their counter-terrorism operations, so they didn't need Bernard Elner's donation at all.

But for American reporters, money we can refuse, but you cannot discriminate against us.

Thus, an American reporter immediately indignantly asked: "Mr. Elner, I want to know why, in the use of this donation's funds, you singled out America for exclusion? I believe America has always been a global model in counter-terrorism and a leader in counter-terrorism operations, with no one understanding counter-terrorism better than us America; your discriminatory treatment of us in this matter is truly inappropriate, isn't it?"

Bernard Elner looked at this reporter in great surprise, teasingly saying: "Your tone and manner of speaking remind me of a deceased person; here I won't name names."

The reporters who understood burst into laughter.

Bernard Elner also laughed and continued: "I still need to answer your question directly—why these two hundred million US dollars exclude America is because, up to now, Blackwater Company and the American government have not given us a satisfactory answer regarding the terrorist attack on White Horse Island, merely casually pushing out a scapegoat to brush this matter aside; I cannot accept this, and I believe Miss Tavana Svet also cannot accept it, nor can all justice-minded people in the world."

Saying this, Bernard Elner coldly snorted, his face full of justice nearly overflowing the screen, raised one hand, and loudly said: "If America cannot give me a satisfactory answer on this matter, I have reason to suspect America is deliberately shielding Blackwater Company; if justice cannot be served in America, I am willing to bring all my brands under me to indefinitely withdraw from the American market! Excluding America from these two hundred million US dollars in counter-terrorism charity is my attitude toward the American government!"

The surrounding reporters didn't expect this ever-profit-driven old man, who even invented the allocation system to make money and expanded it greatly, to now be so full of justice.

American reporters were momentarily at a loss; in this situation, letting them continue to hard-headedly resist was utterly unrealistic, as Bernard Elner had already taken the moral high ground, and the White Horse Island incident had caused a huge uproar, known to all, with America indeed somewhat in the wrong on this matter.

At this very moment, the President was also paying attention to Bernard Elner's trip to America; this person cares most about public opinion, so he was very worried that Bernard Elner, this old coot, would go around spouting nonsense, and Bernard Elner indeed did not disappoint him—right after getting off the plane, he started spouting off, firing on all cylinders.

Even more infuriatingly, this old coot actually dared to subtly mock himself—unbearable!

He darkened his face and immediately ordered his aides: "Quick, notify all major media to immediately write articles smearing Bernard Elner, dig up any old scandals to promote him thoroughly, then label him, saying he came to America purely for hype, with no genuine intention to fight terrorism."

The aide hurriedly said: "President, this guy is so brazen, it doesn't fit a businessman's nature; I always feel something's fishy, and moreover he seized the initiative, already being on the moral high ground; if we rashly launch a public opinion war against him, we might very well end up lifting a rock only to drop it on our own feet. In my opinion, we are in the wrong first on this matter; we should stay as low-key as possible. If that's impossible, we should appropriately punish Blackwater Company to quell public anger."

The President angrily said: "I originally didn't want to stoop to his level, but this guy is really over the top! He donated two hundred million US dollars to hype himself—I can accept that, as spending money is like pleasing God, and I naturally open my arms to welcome him; but why does he exclude America? Isn't this openly blaming me, deliberately slapping my face?"

After saying that, he paused slightly, then added: "I am not intentionally trying to shield Blackwater Company; it's just that Blackwater Company's nature is too special—its members are almost all our supporters, and we have so many dirty, tough jobs around the world that only they can do; if we don't help Blackwater Company now, once its name is completely ruined, we won't be able to find anyone to do those dirty, tough jobs, and the public will strongly reject them! So no matter what, we still need to help Blackwater Company at this time."

Saying this, he gritted his teeth somewhat annoyed: "If this Bernard Elner doesn't keep obsessing over this, the impact of this matter will definitely be declining now!"

The chief aide also somewhat helplessly said: "I really didn't expect Bernard Elner to dare so openly oppose us."

The President, with a stern expression, said: "So, don't hesitate—just do as I say, we'll directly counterattack him in public opinion; he isn't standing on the moral high ground, is he? Although we can't climb up there, we can pull him down! Once he's with us in the moral gutter, it's dog-eat-dog, with no right or wrong."

After saying that, he very seriously educated his aides: "You must remember, sometimes it's not necessary that we profit to win; in business, I myself not making money doesn't matter, as long as we can make our competitors lose money, I still win."

Seeing several people lost in thought, the President lightly said: "Think in another direction, gentlemen—if you've already smeared yourself head to toe with excrement and can't wash it off, you might as well smear others too; when everyone is covered in excrement, no one will single you out for being smelly."

This metaphor by the President suddenly enlightened several people!

Everyone immediately felt they had understood, their eyes becoming clear and bright.

Previously, they worried Bernard Elner would lock horns with them to the end; now thinking it over, the President was right—since it's come to this, what's there to fear? The White Horse Island affair got them into trouble, and since they can't wash it clean, they might as well not wash it, and make Bernard Elner stink too; as long as he's also stinking, the public will naturally not lean toward him.

Thus, the highest-ranking round-faced aide, without hesitation, said: "President, I'll contact the media right now to dig up all of Bernard Elner's dirt—good thing he today had such a hostile attitude toward America, already offending American media, so American media confronting him is justified! Let's seize this opportunity to make him stink!"

The President, with a look of being teachable, slightly nodded and smiled: "Being President, my experience may not match those career politicians, but speaking of doing business, the combined past Presidents might not be my match; Bernard Elner is a businessman, so we'll compete with him using business methods!"