Bill Clinton defended foreign donations his foundation has accepted over the years.
Speaking from the Clinton Global Initiative University in Miami, Fla., the former president defended his foundation’s acceptance of donations from foreign governments — including while his wife, Hillary Clinton, was secretary of state.
“My theory about all of this is disclose everything and then let people make their judgments,” Clinton told Comedy Central’s Larry Wilmore, according to the Associated Press. “I believe we have done a lot more good than harm and I believe this is a good thing.”
The foundation, Clinton noted, has received donations from more than 300,000 people since its inception — including foreign governments in the Middle East and elsewhere.
“Do we agree with everything they do? No. But they’re helping us fight [the Islamic State],” Clinton said, using the United Arab Emirates as an example.
“You’ve got to decide when you do this work whether it will do more good than harm if someone helps you from another country,” the former president said.
Bill Clinton was joined at the event by Hillary and their daughter, Chelsea Clinton. Despite addressing the criticism the foundation has faced recently, the family was able to avoid discussion of Hillary Clinton’s email scandal that took over the news this past week.
