File 030015
Email Discussing Bill Clinton's Alleged Encouragement of Donald Trump's 2016 Presidential Campaign (File 030015)
Email forwarded by Peter Attia containing a Washington Post article reporting that Bill Clinton encouraged Donald Trump's efforts to gain influence in the Republican Party weeks before Trump's 2016 presidential campaign launch.
Summary
This email forwards a Washington Post article by Robert Costa and Anne Gearan reporting that Bill Clinton had a phone conversation with Donald Trump in May 2015, weeks before Trump announced his presidential campaign. According to Trump allies and a Clinton associate quoted in the article, Clinton encouraged Trump's efforts to play a larger role in the Republican Party and expressed curiosity about Trump's presidential ambitions. The article notes the long-standing personal and financial ties between the Clintons and Trump, including Hillary Clinton attending Trump's 2005 wedding and Trump's donations to her Senate campaigns.
From: Peter AttiaSent: 8/6/2015 12:41:53 AMTo: jeffrey E. [jeeyacation@gmail.com]Subject: Bill Clinton Encouraged Donald Trump to RunImportance: HighFunny articleBill Clinton reportedly had an intriguingphone call with Donald Trump weeksbefore his campaign launchRudolph W. Giuliani, Donald Trump, and Bill Clinton attend the 2008 Joe Torre Safeat Home Foundation Golf Classic at Trump National Golf Club on July 14, 2008, inBriarcliff Manor, New York.Former President Bill Clinton and real-estate magnate Donald Trump reportedlyhad a phone conversation in May, only weeks before Trump launched his campaign.According to a new report from The Washington Post, Clinton called Trump in Mayand "encouraged Trump's efforts" to become more influential within the GOP,according to four "Trump allies" and one Clinton associate "familiar with theexchange."From The Washington Post's Robert Costa and Anne Gearan:"Four Trump allies and one Clinton associate familiar with the exchange said thatClinton encouraged Trump's efforts to play a larger role in the Republican Party andoffered his own views of the political landscape.""The tone of the call was informal and Clinton never urged Trump to run, the fourpeople said. Rather, they said, Clinton sounded curious about Trump's movestoward a presidential bid and told Trump that he was striking a chord withfrustrated conservatives and was a rising force on the right."Hillary Clinton, Bill's wife, is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination forpresident in 2016.The Clintons have long had ties with the real-estate magnate. As The Post notes,Hillary Clinton attended Trump's wedding in 2005, and the reality-televisionpersonality donated money to her past Senate campaigns, though he has alsoHOUSE OVERSIGHT 030015donated to several of his own Republican presidential rivals. He has saidthose donations were transactional.The former president has spoken positively of Trump in the past.In a 2012 interview with CNN, Clinton said he liked Trump, despite the real-estatemogul's controversial campaign to get President Barack Obama to release his birthcertificate."Donald Trump has been uncommonly nice to Hillary and me. We're all NewYorkers," Clinton said. "I like him. And I love playing golf with him."Aides to both Bill Clinton and Trump did not comment on record to The Post.Hillary Clinton's campaign also didn't respond to a request for comment.Bill Clinton has occasionally doled out advice to Republican presidential candidates.In 2012, Clinton reportedly gave former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) sometips before his successful debate with President Barack Obama, telling the governorhow to appear in command onstage.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 030016