President Trump tweeted in defense of former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein after Hillary Clinton referred to her as a “Russian asset.”
In a recent interview, Clinton slammed both Stein and Tulsi Gabbard as being used by Russia. She appeared to place blame on Stein for her loss in the 2016 presidential election because some on the Left voted for the third-party candidate, eating away at votes that could have potentially gone to Clinton.
“Crooked Hillary Clinton just called the respected environmentalist and Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, a ‘Russian Asset.’ They need a Green Party more than ever after looking at the Democrats disastrous environmental program!” Trump said.
Crooked Hillary Clinton just called the respected environmentalist and Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, a “Russian Asset.” They need a Green Party more than ever after looking at the Democrats disastrous environmental program!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, 2019
It is unclear if the president was being sarcastic, as a 2020 third-party run from the left could help his bid for reelection. During the 2016 election, Stein got more than 1.4 million votes, or 1.1% of the electorate.
Condemnation for Clinton’s comments have come from both sides of the political spectrum.
CNN Democratic commentator Van Jones said that Clinton was “playing right into the Russians’ hands,” and former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove said she was “out of her mind.” Rep. Justin Amash, a conservative who left the Republican Party over Trump, called Clinton a “Trump asset” after the remarks.
