Should we be surprised that Donald Trump, a man who made national news for mocking someone with a disability, would vengefully withhold medical care for a sick infant? The answer is no, no we should not be surprised.

In a story that delved into Trump’s relationship with his elder brother Freddy, The New York Times gave a unique glimpse into the familial life of the Republican presidential candidate, including an awful anecdote that proves that Trump is the Grinch incarnate.

Freddy, a former pilot who died in 1981 an alcoholic at the age of 43, had a tense relationship with his younger brother, who constantly harangued him about his drinking. After Freddy died, his son, Fred III (Donald’s nephew) married and had a child who developed seizures and cerebral palsy. The Trump family, reports the Times, pledged to pay the infant’s medical bills—but Donald quickly went back on that promise when his father’s will was read.

Then came the unveiling of Fred Sr.’s will, which Donald had helped draft. It divided the bulk of the inheritance, at least $20 million, among his children and their descendants, “other than my son Fred C. Trump Jr.”

Freddy’s children sued, claiming that an earlier version of the will had entitled them to their father’s share of the estate, but that Donald and his siblings had used “undue influence” over their grandfather, who had dementia, to cut them out.

A week later, Mr. Trump retaliated by withdrawing the medical benefits critical to his nephew’s infant child.

In explanation for taking away life-saving medical care for a baby, Trump said, “I was angry because they sued.”

So remember this, next time you find yourself at a party, complaining over your cocktail about the latest racist, misogynistic or just plain wrong thing that comes out of the mouth of Trump: at least you’re not related to him.

[Image via Getty]


Contact the author at melissa.cronin@gawker.com.