Donald Trump Should Not Be Running for President, Former Valet Says

Former President Donald Trump should not be a candidate for president in 2024, according to Brian Butler, Trump's former longtime valet.

Butler, a witness in the former president's federal criminal documents case who is listed as "Trump Employee 5" in the indictment, said during an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Monday that the country "can do better" than Trump.

The former valet, who worked at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club for more than two decades, also countered the ex-president's claims of being unfairly targeted by law enforcement, telling Collins that Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations are "not a witch hunt."

The Context

Trump was charged with 40 felony counts in the Florida indictment, accused of retaining classified documents following his presidency and of subsequent attempts to hide them from authorities after being asked to return them. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Butler, who began working at Mar-a-Lago when he was 19, publicly revealed his identity as "Trump Employee 5" during the interview with Collins on Monday. He said that he had not spoken to Mar-a-Lago maintenance worker Carlos De Oliveira, whom he called his "best friend," since Butler began cooperating with authorities.

De Oliveira and Trump valet Walt Nauta were indicted and charged with multiple felonies alongside the ex-president last year, both accused of helping move documents and attempting to obstruct an investigation by federal agents.

What We Know

"I just don't believe that he should be a presidential candidate at this time," Butler told Collins on Monday. "I think it's time to move on ... I think we can do better."

"I think the American people deserve to know the facts: That this is not a witch hunt," he continued. "It's all bogus, but people believe him."

Butler went on to say that Trump had "divided the nation like I've never seen before" and "just can't take responsibility for anything."

The former valet also claimed that he personally moved boxes, without knowing what they contained, out of Mar-a-Lago and onto an aircraft while the ex-president and his lawyers were meeting with FBI agents.

Views

Newsweek reached out for comment to Trump's office via email on Monday night.

Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president, has repeatedly claimed that all of his legal difficulties amount to political "persecution" and "election interference" as he heads toward a likely rematch with President Joe Biden in November.

While Trump had not specifically commented on Butler at the time of publication, opinions of the former valet's interview with Collins appeared on social media shortly after airing.

Several Trump supporters claimed without evidence that Butler had been paid off or argued that he lacked credibility.

"Follow the money, bet there's a big pile under this guy's bed," @BoyMomStacy posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Others argued that Butler was "brave" for speaking out and speculated that he would now need security due to forthcoming threats from MAGA.

"Brian Butler is one brave dude," posted @lassiter_wes. "It is people like this will save us from the Orange Hitler."

"Brian Butler is going to need security," @WomenInTheBurbs posted. "I hope he knows this. MAGA world won't let this slide and will want retribution. They are literal mobsters."

What's Next?

Butler may testify against the former president in the documents case when a trial takes place. However, the ultimate timing of the trial, which will almost certainly be canceled if Trump wins reelection, remains unclear.

The trial is scheduled to begin on May 20. However, Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump appointee overseeing the case, is widely expected to delay the start date as election season heats up.