The Daily Journalist.
CLINTON FOUNDATION FOREIGN DONORS
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION REVEALED THE NAMES OF ITS DONORS AND A RANGE OF CONTRIBUTION TOTALS UPON SECRETARY CLINTON’S APPOINTMENT AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Associated Press On Clinton Foundation Donors: “Governments, Corporations And Billionaires With Their Own Interests In U.S. Foreign Policy Gave The Former President’s Charity Millions Of Dollars.” “The world opened its wallet for Bill Clinton. Governments, corporations and billionaires with their own interests in U.S. foreign policy gave the former president’s charity millions of dollars, according to records he released Thursday to lay bare any financial entanglements that could affect his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton as the next secretary of state.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Associated Press: Clinton Foundation Disclosed Its Donors After “A Decade Of Resistance To Identifying Them” And “Did Not Identify Each Contributor’s Occupation, Employer Or Nationality.” “The foundation disclosed the names of its 205,000 donors on its Web site Thursday, ending a decade of resistance to identifying them. It released only the names of donors and the range of their contributions. It did not identify each contributor’s occupation, employer or nationality or provide any other details. The foundation said separately Thursday that fewer than 3,000 of its donors were foreigners but it did not identify which ones.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Associated Press: “Presidents Typically Do Not Release The Names Of Donors To Their Foundations, And…There Also Was No Legal Obligation For Them To Do So.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
AMONG THE CLINTON FOUNDATION DONORS REVEALED IN 2009 WERE SEVERAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS WHO HAD GIVEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
Associated Press: As Of January 2009, “Saudi Arabia, Norway And Other Foreign Governments Gave At Least $46 Million” To The Clinton Foundation “And Donors With Ties To India Delivered Millions More.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Foreign Government Donors To Clinton Foundation Included Saudi Arabia, Norway, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, Italy, Jamaica, And Tenerife. “According to Clinton’s list, Saudi Arabia gave $10 million to $25 million to the foundation. Other government donors include Norway, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, Italy, Jamaica and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The Dutch national lottery gave $5 million to $10 million.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Australian And Dominican Government Agencies Each Gave Between $10 And $25 Million To The Clinton Foundation. “AUSAID, the Australian government’s overseas aid program, and COPRESIDA-Secretariado Tecnico, a Dominican Republic government agency formed to fight AIDS, each gave $10 million to $25 million.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
WHEN HILLARY CLINTON BECAME SECRETARY OF STATE IN 2009, BILL CLINTON AGREED TO STOP ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION FROM MOST FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Associated Press: “President-Elect Barack Obama Made Hillary Clinton’s Nomination As Secretary Of State Contingent On Her Husband Revealing The Foundation’s Contributors, To Address Questions About Potential Conflicts Of Interest.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Associated Press: When Then-Senator Clinton Became Secretary Of State, Bill Clinton Agreed To “Not Solicit Money Or Sponsorships” For The Clinton Global Initiative, Which Would “Cease Accepting Foreign Contributions.” “The former president agreed to step away from direct involvement in the Clinton Global Initiative, an annual charitable conference where businesses and many foreign governments pledge donations to help ameliorate AIDS, poverty and other social ills. He will continue serving as CGI’s founding chairman but will not solicit money or sponsorships. The CGI will cease accepting foreign contributions and will not host events outside the United States.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
2009: Bill Clinton “Agreed To The Gift Ban At The Behest Of The Obama Administration, Which Worried About A Secretary Of State’s Husband Raising Millions While She Represented U.S. Interests Abroad.” “In 2009, the Clinton Foundation stopped raising money from foreign governments after Mrs. Clinton became secretary of state. Former President Bill Clinton, who ran the foundation while his wife was at the State Department, agreed to the gift ban at the behest of the Obama administration, which worried about a secretary of state’s husband raising millions while she represented U.S. interests abroad. The ban wasn’t absolute; some foreign government donations were permitted for ongoing programs approved by State Department ethics officials.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
IN THE PAST, SOME OBSERVERS HAD LINKED FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DONATIONS TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION AND SECRETARY CLINTON’S WORK AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Breitbart: “As Of 2008, The Clinton Foundation Raised At Least $46 Million From Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, And Other Foreign Governments–The Very Governments Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton Eventually Negotiated With.” “The nexus between Clinton Foundation donors, foreign governments, and corporate interests has long been a concern to government watchdog groups. As of 2008, the Clinton Foundation raised at least $46 million from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, and other foreign governments–the very governments Secretary of State Hillary Clinton eventually negotiated with. Wealthy foreign investors, like Saudi businessman Nasser Al-Rashid and Indian politician Amar Singh gave at least $1 million each.” [Breitbart, 8/14/13]
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION CAME UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY IN FEBRUARY 2015 WHEN IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE FOUNDATION HAD ACCEPTED DONATIONS FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AFTER SECRETARY CLINTON LEFT THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Wall Street Journal: “The Clinton Foundation Has Dropped Its Self-Imposed Ban On Collecting Funds From Foreign Governments And Is Winning Contributions At An Accelerating Rate.” “The Clinton Foundation has dropped its self-imposed ban on collecting funds from foreign governments and is winning contributions at an accelerating rate, raising ethical questions as Hillary Clinton ramps up her expected bid for the presidency.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Wall Street Journal: “Recent Donors [To The Clinton Foundation] Include The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Australia, Germany And A Canadian Government Agency Promoting The Keystone XL Pipeline.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Wall Street Journal: Canada’s Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Agency “A First-Time Donor, Gave Between $250,000 And $500,000” To The Clinton Foundation In 2014. “One of the 2014 donations comes from a Canadian agency promoting the proposed Keystone pipeline, which is favored by Republicans and under review by the Obama administration. The Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development agency of Canada, a first-time donor, gave between $250,000 and $500,000. The donations, which are disclosed voluntarily by the foundation, are given only in ranges.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
- Wall Street Journal: Canada’s Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Agency Was “Promoting The Proposed Keystone Pipeline” Though “The Canadian Donation Originated From An Agency Office Separate From The One That Advocates For Keystone XL.” “One of the 2014 donations comes from a Canadian agency promoting the proposed Keystone pipeline, which is favored by Republicans and under review by the Obama administration. The Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development agency of Canada…One of the agency’s priorities for 2014-2015 was to promote Keystone XL ‘as a stable and secure source of energy and energy technology,’ according to the agency’s website. The Canadian donation originated from an agency office separate from the one that advocates for Keystone XL, a Foundation spokesman said.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Wall Street Journal: “At Least Four Foreign Countries Gave To The Foundation In 2013—Norway, Italy, Australia And The Netherlands—A Fact That Has Garnered Little Attention.” “At least four foreign countries gave to the foundation in 2013—Norway, Italy, Australia and the Netherlands—a fact that has garnered little attention. The number of governments contributing in 2014 appears to have doubled from the previous year. Since its founding, the foundation has raised at least $48 million from overseas governments, according to a Journal tally.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Wall Street Journal: “The Number Of Governments Contributing [To The Clinton Foundation] In 2014 Appears To Have Doubled From The Previous Year.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Wall Street Journal: “Since Its Founding, The [Clinton] Foundation Has Raised At Least $48 Million From Overseas Governments, According To A Journal Tally.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
First-Time Donor United Arab Emirates Gave The Clinton Foundation $1-5 Million In 2014. [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
First-Time Donor Germany Gave The Clinton Foundation $100,000-200,000 In 2014. [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Saudi Arabia Has Given The Clinton Foundation $10-25 Million Since 1999, Part Of Which Was Contributed In 2014. [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Australia Has Given The Clinton Foundation $5-10 Million Since 2013, Part Of Which Was Contributed In 2014. [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Wall Street Journal: “Qatar’s Government Committee Preparing For The 2022 Soccer World Cup Gave Between $250,000 And $500,000 In 2014…Qatar’s Government Had Previously Donated Between $1 Million And $5 Million.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Oman Has Given The Clinton Foundation $1-5 Million, Part Of Which Was Contributed In 2014. [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Markkula Center For Applied Ethics Director: “Now That She Is Gearing Up To Run…The Same Potential Exists For Foreign Governments To Curry Favor With Her As A Potential President Of The United States.” “Kirk Hanson, director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University in California, said the Clintons should immediately reimpose the ban, for the same reasons it was in place while Mrs. Clinton led U.S. foreign policy. ‘Now that she is gearing up to run for president, the same potential exists for foreign governments to curry favor with her as a potential president of the United States,’ he said.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Center For Congressional And Presidential Studies Director: “Whether It Influences Her Decision Making Is Questionable, But It Is A Legitimate Thing To Focus On By Her Political Opposition.” “James Thurber, director of American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies. ‘Whether it influences her decision making is questionable, but it is a legitimate thing to focus on by her political opposition.’” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL TIED FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DONORS TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION’S ENDOWMENT FUNDRAISING UNDER SECRETARY CLINTON
Wall Street Journal: Secretary Clinton “Has Become A Prodigious Fundraiser As The Foundation Launched A $250 Million Endowment Campaign.” “Since leaving the State Department in early 2013, Mrs. Clinton officially joined the foundation, which changed its name to the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and has become a prodigious fundraiser as the foundation launched a $250 million endowment campaign, officials said.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Wall Street Journal: “The Clinton Foundation Has Set A Goal Of Creating A $250 Million Endowment…[And] The Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates And Oman Donations Went To The Endowment Drive.” “The Clinton Foundation has set a goal of creating a $250 million endowment, an official said. One purpose was secure the future of the foundation’s programs without having to rely so much on the former president’s personal fundraising efforts, the official said. The Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman donations went to the endowment drive.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
CLINTON FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED THAT SHOULD HILLARY CLINTON DECIDE TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, THE FOUNDATION WOULD FOLLOW APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING DONATIONS FROM FOREIGN DONATIONS, JUST LIKE IT HAD HAD UNDER SECRETARY CLINTON…
Clinton Foundation: “Should Secretary Clinton Decide To Run For Office, We Will Continue To Ensure The Foundation’s Policies And Practices Regarding Support From International Partners Are Appropriate, Just As We Did When She Served As Secretary Of State.” “Like other global charities, the Clinton Foundation receives support from individuals, organizations and governments from all over the world. Contributions are made because the Foundation’s programs improve the lives of millions of people around the globe. The Clinton Foundation has a record of transparency that goes above what is required of U.S. charities. This includes the voluntary disclosure of contributions on the Foundation’s website. Should Secretary Clinton decide to run for office, we will continue to ensure the Foundation’s policies and practices regarding support from international partners are appropriate, just as we did when she served as Secretary of State.” [Clinton Foundation, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal: Clinton Foundation Spokesman Claimed Donors “Go Through A Vigorous Vetting Process.” “A spokesman for the Clinton Foundation said the charity has a need to raise money for its many projects, which aim to do such things as improve education, health care and the environment around the world. He also said that donors go through a vigorous vetting process.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “The Clinton Foundation…Has Said It Will Re-Evaluate Its Contributor Practices If Secretary Clinton Runs, Just As Was Done When She Became Secretary Of State.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
…AND DEFENDED THE FOUNDATION’S GLOBAL WORK THAT WAS SUPPORTED BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DONATIONS…
Clinton Foundation Spokesman: Projects “Aim To Do Such Things As Improve Education, Health Care And The Environment Around The World.” “A spokesman for the Clinton Foundation said the charity has a need to raise money for its many projects, which aim to do such things as improve education, health care and the environment around the world. He also said that donors go through a vigorous vetting process.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/15]
Clinton Foundation Spokesman Craig Minassian And Hillary Clinton Spokesman Nick Merrill Sent Around Talking Points To Clinton Allies “In Hopes That You Will Join Us In Defending The Good Work The Foundation Does And Will Continue To Do.” “It’s been a little while since we’ve sent one of these, but given the attacks on the Clinton Foundation as of late, we wanted to send around some points in hopes that you will join us in defending the good work the Foundation does and will continue to do.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “In The Last Couple Of Weeks, There Has Been Little Mention Of The Good Work The Foundation Does, And That It Is Without A Doubt A World-Class Philanthropy.” “As you’ve probably seen reading the stories in the last couple of weeks, there has been little mention of the good work the Foundation does, and that it is without a doubt a world-class philanthropy.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill Highlighted The Work Of The Clinton Foundation In The Areas Of “Haiti, Global Health, Women And Girls & No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project, Childhood Obesity, Economic Development, Climate Change, Clinton Global Initiative, Too Small To Fail, Job One.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “The Clinton Foundation Is A Philanthropy, Period.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: Clinton Foundation Receives “Contributions From Around The World, Because They’re Doing Groundbreaking, Life-Changing Work Around The Globe.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: Clinton Foundation Contributions “Are Responsible For Millions Of People Getting Access To Live-Saving HIV/AIDS Treatment.” “These contributions are important because they are responsible for millions of people getting access to life-saving HIV/AIDs treatment, more than 40,000 farmers in Malawi, Tanzania, and Rwanda improving their incomes by more than 500 percent; 33,500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions being reduced annually across the U.S.; supporting the Clinton Global Initiative whose members have made nearly 3,100 Commitments to Action to improving more than 430 million lives around the world and so much more. The list goes on.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “Without These Contributions… Fewer People Would Have Access To Affordable HIV/AIDS Medication; Fewer People Would Have Access To Clean Water…And Fewer Children In The US Would Have Access To Healthy Foods.” “Without these contributions, it’s clear what would have happened – fewer people would have access to affordable HIV/AIDS medication; fewer people would have access to clean water; fewer economic opportunities would be made available in developing communities in nations across Africa, Asia, and South; and fewer children in the US would have access to healthy foods.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: It Is “Important To Acknowledge That After Much Scrutiny, And When You Cast Aside Those Whose Goal It Is To Make Political Hay, That This Is A Philanthropy, Widely Recognized As A Successful One, And It Does An Enormous Amount Of Good.” “The bottom line: The ability to fund the Foundation is the ability to improve the lives of millions of people across the world. And while it’s appropriate to raise questions to ensure that money is being used as efficiently as possible to achieve its mission, it’s just as important to acknowledge that after much scrutiny, and when you cast aside those whose goal it is to make political hay, that this is a philanthropy, widely recognized as a successful one, and it does an enormous amount of good that the people who founded it and work there should be nothing but immensely proud of. Period.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “The Work Of The Clinton Foundation Is Effective, Which Is Why It Has Bipartisan Support From Places Like News Corporation [And] Chris Ruddy Of NewsMax.” “The work of the Clinton Foundation is effective, which is why it has bipartisan support from places like News Corporation, Chris Ruddy of NewsMax, and counts among its contributors and CGI participants President George H.W. Bush, Laura Bush, Condi Rice, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Carly Fiorina, and dozens of governors and mayors from both sides of the aisle.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “Every Penny Of The Money Algeria Donated For Haiti Went To Help Haiti.” “Every penny of the money Algeria donated for Haiti went to help Haiti. People forget about the outpouring of support for those debased by the earthquake and the need to get money and supplies there quickly. The United Nations asked President Clinton to head Haiti relief and encouraged countries to support the effort. President Bush partnered with WJC to set up the Bush-Clinton Haiti Fund in part because the Clinton Foundation had an expertise in addressing such challenges efficiently and effectively – as they previously did with the Tsunami is SE Asia.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “When People Call For The Donations To Be Returned, They Are Dismissing The Fact That Lives Will Be Affected, Even Lost.” “People are trying to make this political forget the human toll of HIV/AIDs or earthquakes or that as governments have fewer resources around the world. That’s exactly where NGO’s need to step into the void to help improve people’s lives. When people call for the donations to be returned, they are dismissing the fact that lives will be affected, even lost.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
…AND EMPHASIZED THE UNUSUALLY HIGH LEVEL TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THE FOUNDATION’S DONATIONS
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: “Unlike Many Other Similar Charities, The Foundation Voluntarily Discloses All Of Its Contributors’ Names, Right On The Clinton Foundation Website.” “Let’s remember why journalists are able to dig through all these records. Because unlike many other similar charities, the Foundation voluntarily discloses all of its contributors’ names, right on the Clinton Foundation website. And it refuses to take anonymous contributions. No charity is required to do these, but the Clinton Foundation does it, on its own accord.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: Clinton Foundation “Refuses To Take Anonymous Contributions.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
Clinton Spokesman Merrill: Clinton Foundation “Counts Among Its Contributors And CGI Participants President George H.W. Bush, Laura Bush, Condi Rice, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Carly Fiorina, And Dozens Of Governors And Mayors From Both Sides Of The Aisle.” [Nick Merrill, 3/2/15]
REPORTS THAT STATE DEPARTMENT LAWYERS DID NOT EXHAUSTIVELY VET BILL CLINTON’S PAID SPEECHES DURING SECRETARY CLINTON’S TENURE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROLE CLINTON FOUNDATION DONATIONS MAY HAVE PLAYED IN ORGANIZING THOSE SPEECHES
Politico: In Reviewing Bill Clinton Speeches For Potential Conflicts Of Interest, “State Department Lawyers Acted On Sparse Information About Business Proposals And Speech Requests And Were Under The Gun To Approve The Proposals Promptly.” “In hundreds of documents released to POLITICO under the Freedom of Information Act, not a single case appears where the State Department explicitly rejected a Bill Clinton speech. Instead, the records show State Department lawyers acted on sparse information about business proposals and speech requests and were under the gun to approve the proposals promptly.” [Politico, 2/25/15]
Politico: “In A 2009 Memo Greenlighting [President Clinton Speaking Engagements], A State Department Ethics Official Specifically Asked About Possible Links Between President Clinton’s Speaking Engagements And Donations To The Clinton Foundation.” “In a 2009 memo greenlighting those talks, a State Department ethics official specifically asked about possible links between President Clinton’s speaking engagements and donations to the Clinton Foundation. However, the released documents show no evidence that the question was addressed. ‘In future requests, I would suggest including a statement listing whether or not any of the proposed sponsors of a speaking event have made a donation to the Clinton Foundation and, if so, the amount and date,’ wrote Jim Thessin, then the State Department’s top ethics approver and No. 2 lawyer.” [Politico, 2/25/15]
State Department Spokesman On Bill Clinton Speaking Arrangements: “In Several Respects, Secretary Clinton’s Commitments Went Beyond The Requirements Of Applicable Laws And Regulations…We Believe Secretary Clinton Honored Fully These Undertakings.” [Politico, 2/25/15]
Clinton Foundation: “President Clinton And The Clinton Foundation Both Held Themselves To Much Higher Standards Than Existing Rules For Spouses Of Government Officials, And For The Organizations With Which They Are Affiliated.” [Politico, 2/25/15]
SOME CONSERVATIVES USED THE FOREIGN DONATIONS CONTROVERSY TO IMPLY THAT THE CLINTON FOUNDATION IS NOT A CHARITY AND QUESTION THE FOUNDATION’S CHARITABLE WORK
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “It’s Long Past Time To Drop The Fiction That The Clinton Foundation Has Ever Been A Charity.” “With the news this week that Mrs. Clinton—the would-be occupant of the White House—is landing tens of millions from foreign governments for her shop, it’s long past time to drop the fiction that the Clinton Foundation has ever been a charity. It’s a political shop.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “Bill And Hillary Have Simply Done With The Foundation What They Did With Cattle Futures And Whitewater And The Lincoln Bedroom And Johnny Chung—They’ve Exploited The System.” “With the news this week that Mrs. Clinton—the would-be occupant of the White House—is landing tens of millions from foreign governments for her shop, it’s long past time to drop the fiction that the Clinton Foundation has ever been a charity. It’s a political shop. Bill and Hillary have simply done with the foundation what they did with cattle futures and Whitewater and the Lincoln Bedroom and Johnny Chung—they’ve exploited the system.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “The Clinton Foundation Exists To Allow The Nation’s Most Powerful Couple To Use Their Not-So-Subtle Persuasion To Exact Global Tribute For A Fund That Promotes The Clintons.” “Most family charities exist to allow self-made Americans to disperse their good fortune to philanthropic causes. The Clinton Foundation exists to allow the nation’s most powerful couple to use their not-so-subtle persuasion to exact global tribute for a fund that promotes the Clintons.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “Oh Sure, The Foundation Doles Out Grants For This And That Cause…But They Don’t Rank Next To The Annual Bill Clinton Show—The Clinton Global Initiative Event.” “Oh sure, the foundation doles out grants for this and that cause. But they don’t rank next to the annual Bill Clinton show—the Clinton Global Initiative event—to which he summons heads of state and basks for a media week as post-presidential statesman. This is an organization that in 2013 spent $8.5 million in travel expenses alone, ferrying the Clintons to headliner events. Those keep Mrs. Clinton in the news, which helps when you want to be president.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: Clinton Foundation Is “A Body That Exists To Keep The Clinton Political Team Intact In Between Elections, Working For The Clintons’ Political Benefit.” “It’s a body that exists to keep the Clinton political team intact in between elections, working for the Clintons’ political benefit. Only last week it came out that Dennis Cheng, who raised money for Mrs. Clinton’s 2008 bid, and then transitioned to the Clinton Foundation’s chief development officer, is now transitioning back to head up Mrs. Clinton’s 2016 fundraising operation. Mr. Cheng has scored $248 million for the foundation, and his Rolodex comes with him.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “How Much Of These Employees’ Salaries, How Much Of Mrs. Clinton’s Travel, Was Funded By The Saudis? Or The United Arab Emirates, Or Oman, Or Any Of The Other Foreign Nations[?]” “How much of these employees’ salaries, how much of Mrs. Clinton’s travel, was funded by the Saudis? Or the United Arab Emirates, or Oman, or any of the other foreign nations that The Wall Street Journal Tuesday reported have given millions to the foundation this past year? How many voters has Mrs. Clinton wooed, how many potential donors has she primed, how many influential people has she recruited for her campaign via the Clinton Foundation?” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “We Can’t Know” If The Clinton Foundation Is Lying, While “Poor Jeb Bush Has To Abide By All Those Pesky Campaign-Finance Laws That Require Him To Disclose Exact Donor Names, And Dates And Amounts.” “How much of these employees’ salaries, how much of Mrs. Clinton’s travel, was funded by the Saudis? Or the United Arab Emirates, or Oman, or any of the other foreign nations that The Wall Street Journal Tuesday reported have given millions to the foundation this past year? How many voters has Mrs. Clinton wooed, how many potential donors has she primed, how many influential people has she recruited for her campaign via the Clinton Foundation? The foundation claims none, but that’s the other Clinton stroke of brilliance in using a charity as a campaign vehicle—we can’t know. Poor Jeb Bush has to abide by all those pesky campaign-finance laws that require him to disclose exact donor names, and dates and amounts. And that also bar contributions from foreign entities.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: Ban On Foreign Donations To Clinton Foundation “Wasn’t Absolute, And It Isn’t Clear It Encompassed Nonprofits Funded By Foreign Governments, Or Covered Wealthy Foreigners, Or Foreign Corporations.” “The foundation likes to note that it adopted self-imposed limits on foreign contributions during the period when Mrs. Clinton was at the State Department. Which is nice. Then again, that ban wasn’t absolute, and it isn’t clear it encompassed nonprofits funded by foreign governments, or covered wealthy foreigners, or foreign corporations. Nothing is clear. This is the Clintons. That’s how they like it.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “This Is The Baseline Scandal Of The Clinton Foundation—It’s A Political Group That Gets To Operate Outside The Rules Imposed On Every Other Political Player.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “It’s Hard To Label Your GOP Opponent Anti-Woman When The Clinton Foundation Is Funded By Countries That Bar Women From Voting And Driving Like Saudi Arabia.” “Democrats might nonetheless consider how big a liability this is for their potential nominee. It’s hard to label your GOP opponent anti-woman when the Clinton Foundation is funded by countries that bar women from voting and driving like Saudi Arabia.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “It’s Hard To Call Your GOP Opponent A Heartless Capitalist—Out Of Tune With Middle-Class Anxieties—When You Owe Your Foundation’s Soul To Canadian Mining Magnates And Ethiopian Construction Billionaires.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel: “It’s Hard To Claim You Will Fix A Burning World When You Owe Foundation Gratitude To Countries Holding The Fossil-Fuel Blowtorches.” [Kim Strassel, Wall Street Journal, 2/19/15]
CLINTON FOUNDATION INDIVIDUAL FOREIGN DONORS
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION HAS ACCEPTED DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, SOME OF WHOM HAD TIES TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, DURING HER TENURE AS SECRETARY OF STATE
Wall Street Journal: During Secretary Clinton’s Tenure At The State Department, The Clinton Foundation Was “Raising Millions Of Dollars From Foreigners With Connections To Their Home Governments,” Some Of Whom “Have Direct Ties To Foreign Governments.” “The Clinton Foundation swore off donations from foreign governments when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. That didn’t stop the foundation from raising millions of dollars from foreigners with connections to their home governments, a review of foundation disclosures shows. Some donors have direct ties to foreign governments. One is a member of the Saudi royal family. Another is a Ukrainian oligarch and former parliamentarian. Others are individuals with close connections to foreign governments that stem from their business activities. Their professed policy interests range from human rights to U.S.-Cuba relations.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
Wall Street Journal: During Secretary Clinton’s Tenure At The State Department, “More Than A Dozen Foreign Individuals And Their Foundations And Companies Were Large Donors To The Clinton Foundation… Collectively Giving Between $34 Million And $68 Million.” “All told, more than a dozen foreign individuals and their foundations and companies were large donors to the Clinton Foundation in the years after Mrs. Clinton became secretary of state in 2009, collectively giving between $34 million and $68 million, foundation records show. Some donors also provided funding directly to charitable projects sponsored by the foundation, valued by the organization at $60 million.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
Wall Street Journal: “The Foreign Donors Reached By The Wall Street Journal Said They Contributed To The [Clinton Foundation] For Charitable, Not Political Reasons.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
Wall Street Journal: The Agreement To Limit Foreign Donations Reached Between Bill Clinton And Obama “Didn’t Place Limits On Donations From Foreign Individuals Or Corporations.” “Former President Bill Clinton promised the Obama administration the foundation wouldn’t accept most foreign-government donations while his wife was secretary of state. The agreement didn’t place limits on donations from foreign individuals or corporations.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION RECEIVED MONEY FROM A FOUNDATION FORMED BY FORMER UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER VICTOR PINCHUK…
Wall Street Journal: “Between 2009 And 2013…Clinton Foundation Received At Least $8.6 Million From The Victor Pinchuk Foundation,” Created By Former Ukrainian Parliament Member Victor Pinchuk. “Between 2009 and 2013, including when Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state, the Clinton Foundation received at least $8.6 million from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, according to that foundation, which is based in Kiev, Ukraine. It was created by Mr. Pinchuk, whose fortune stems from a pipe-making company. He served two terms as an elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament and is a proponent of closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union. Mr. Pinchuk and his wife—the daughter of former Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma—began donating to Clinton charities in 2006 after being introduced to Mr. Clinton by Doug Schoen, a pollster who has worked for both Clintons.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
…PINCHUCK HIMSELF HAD MADE A FIVE-YEAR $29 MILLION COMMITMENT TO THE FOUNDATION IN 2008…
Wall Street Journal: In 2008, Pinchuk “Made A Five-Year, $29 million Commitment To The Clinton Global Initiative,” Only $1.8 Million Of Which Has Been Donated, “To Fund A Program To Train Future Ukrainian Leaders And Professionals To ‘Modernize Ukraine.’” “In 2008, Mr. Pinchuk made a five-year, $29 million commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative, a wing of the foundation that coordinates charitable projects and funding for them but doesn’t handle the money. The pledge was to fund a program to train future Ukrainian leaders and professionals ‘to modernize Ukraine,’ according to the Clinton Foundation. Several alumni are current members of the Ukrainian Parliament. Actual donations so far amount to only $1.8 million, a Pinchuk foundation spokesman said, citing the impact of the 2008 financial crisis.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
DURING CLINTON’S TENURE AS SECRETARY OF STATE, A FORMER CLINTON POLLSTER REGISTERED AS A LOBBYIST FOR PINCHUK AND TOOK MEETINGS WITH CLINTON AIDE’S ABOUT ISSUES IN THE UKRAINE
Wall Street Journal: During Clinton’s Tenure As Secretary Of State, Clinton Pollster Schoen Registered As A Lobbyist For Pinchuk, And The Two Met With Secretary Clinton Aides, Including Melanne Verveer, Hoping To “Encourage The U.S. To Pressure Ukraine’s Then-President Viktor Yanukovych To Free His Jailed Predecessor, Yulia Tymoshenko.” “During Mrs. Clinton’s time at the State Department, Mr. Schoen, the pollster, registered as a lobbyist for Mr. Pinchuk, federal records show. Mr. Schoen said he and Mr. Pinchuk met several times with Clinton aides including Melanne Verveer, a Ukrainian-American and then a State Department ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues. The purpose, Mr. Schoen said, was to encourage the U.S. to pressure Ukraine’s then-President Viktor Yanukovych to free his jailed predecessor, Yulia Tymoshenko.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS TIED TO SAUDI ARABIA WHILE CLINTON SERVED AS SECRETARY OF STATE
Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal Donated To The Clinton Foundation In 2013 And 2014. “Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former ambassador to the U.S. and member of the Saudi royal family who has attended annual meetings of the Clinton Global Initiative, made donations in 2013 and 2014, though exact dates aren’t available. Prince Turki met Bill Clinton decades ago when both were students at Georgetown University’s foreign-service school. Prince Turki’s chief of staff didn’t respond to emails seeking comment.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
Wall Street Journal: An Ethiopian Immigrant To Saudi Arabia With Ties To Saudi Government Projects “Donated Between $5 Million And $10 Million” To The Clinton Foundation. “Another donor, Sheikh Mohammed H. Al Amoudi, an Ethiopian immigrant to Saudi Arabia, has donated between $5 million and $10 million, including while Mrs. Clinton served in the State Department. Mr. Al Amoudi has built an empire of construction, agricultural and energy companies across Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. He also has endowed a breast-cancer institute at the government-run King Abdulaziz University and is a participant in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Food Security Program. His U.S. lawyer, George Salem, said his client ‘is a private Saudi citizen, and not a government official in Saudi Arabia.’ He said there was “nothing inappropriate” about the donation, which was to fight AIDS in Ethiopia.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
A GERMAN INVESTOR WHO HAS LOBBIED CHANCELLOR MERKEL’S ADMINISTRATION GAVE BETWEEN $1 MILLION AND $5 MILLION TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION, SOME OF WHICH WAS DURING MRS. CLINTON’S TENURE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Wall Street Journal: A German Investor Who Has Lobbied Chancellor Merkel’s Administration Gave Between $1 Million And $5 Million To The Clinton Foundation, “Some Of Which Came During Mrs. Clinton’s Tenure At The State Department.” “Joachim Schoss, a German investor who has met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other government officials to discuss Internet policy, has given between $1 million and $5 million, some of which came during Mrs. Clinton tenure at the State Department. A spokeswoman for Mr. Schoss said his donations were ‘purely philanthropic’ and unrelated to politics.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
A VENEZUELAN MEDIA MOGUL WHO WAS ACTIVE IN VENEZUELAN POLITICS DONATED TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION DURING CLINTON’S TENURE AS SECRETARY OF STATE
Wall Street Journal: A Venezuelan Media Mogul “Who Is Active In Venezuelan Politics” Gave Between $500,000 And $1 Million To The Clinton Foundation During Clinton’s Tenure As Secretary Of State. “Venezuelan media mogul Gustavo Cisneros, who is active in Venezuelan politics and has long advocated restoring ties between the U.S. and Cuba, has given the foundation between $500,000 and $1 million, some during Mrs. Clinton’s stint at the State Department. He owns Venevisión, one of Venezuela’s largest television networks, once a staunch opponent of former President Hugo Chávez. Since Mr. Chávez’s death in 2013, Mr. Cisneros has maintained ties to the new president, Nicolás Maduro. A spokesman for Mr. Cisneros didn’t respond to a request for comment.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
AN EMBATTLED BUSINESSMAN WITH “TIES TO BAHRAIN’S STATE-OWNED ALUMINUM COMPANY” GAVE BETWEEN $1 MILLION AND $5 MILLION TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION
Wall Street Journal: An Embattled Businessman With “Ties To Bahrain’s State-Owned Aluminum Company” Gave Between $1 Million And $5 Million To The Clinton Foundation. “Victor Dahdaleh, a London businessman whose foundation contributed between $1 million and $5 million, has ties to Bahrain’s state-owned aluminum company. He was the intermediary between the state-owned Aluminum Bahrain B.S.C. and Alcoa World Alumina, which is majority owned by Alcoa Inc. Last year, he was acquitted in London on charges of bribing Bahraini officials to secure contracts for the Alcoa firm. In the U.S., the Alcoa affiliate pleaded guilty last year to corruption charges, and the Justice Department said an investigation into the matter remains open.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
Embattled Canadian Investor Victor Dahdaleh Gave $1 Million To $5 Million To The Clinton
Foundation. “Victor P. Dahdaleh, who gave $1 million to $5 million, is a Canadian investor and philanthropist involved in aluminum production. His business ties have brought allegations of fraud and bribery in a lawsuit filed by a Bahrain aluminum company. The suit seeks more than $1 billion in damages for what it alleges is Dadaleh’s involvement in questionable deals in the Middle East, and the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into the matter. Dahdaleh has vowed to vigorously contest the charges.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM NOTABLE FOREIGN INDIVIDUALS BEFORE AND AFTER SHE WAS SECRETARY OF STATE
THE CEO OF AN AMSTERDAM BASED ENERGY COMPANY DONATED AT LEAST $1 MILLION TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION AND LATER ANNOUNCED AT THE 2009 CGI MEETING A $5 BILLION PROJECT TO DEVELOP ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY POWER GENERATION IN INDIA AND CHINA
Associated Press: Energy CEO Tulsi Tanti, Whose Company Donated At Least $1 Million To Clinton Foundation, “Announced Plans At Clinton’s Global Initiative Meeting Earlier This Year For A $5 Billion Project To Develop Environmentally Friendly Power Generation In India And China.” “Amar Singh, a donor in the $1 million to $5 million category, is an Indian politician who played host to Bill Clinton on a visit to India in 2005 and met Hillary Clinton in New York in September to discuss an India-U.S. civil nuclear agreement. Also in that category was Suzlon Energy Ltd. of Amsterdam, a leading supplier of wind turbines. Its chairman is Tulsi R. Tanti, one of India’s wealthiest executives. Tanti announced plans at Clinton’s Global Initiative meeting earlier this year for a $5 billion project to develop environmentally friendly power generation in India and China.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
INDIAN POLITICIAN AMAR SINGH, WHO HAD DONATED AT LEAST $1 MILLION TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION, MET WITH HILLARY CLINTON IN SEPTEMBER 2008 TO DISCUSS AN INDIA-U.S. CIVIL NUCLEAR AGREEMENT
Associated Press: Indian Politician Amar Singh, Who Donated At Least $1 Million To The Clinton Foundation, “Met Hillary Clinton In New York…To Discuss An India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement.” “The foundation’s list also underscores ties between the Clintons and India, which could complicate diplomatic perceptions of whether Hillary Clinton can be a neutral broker between India and neighboring Pakistan in a region where Obama will face an early test of his foreign policy leadership. Tensions between the two nuclear nations are high since last month’s deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Amar Singh, a donor in the $1 million to $5 million category, is an Indian politician who played host to Bill Clinton on a visit to India in 2005 and met Hillary Clinton in New York in September to discuss an India-U.S. civil nuclear agreement.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
THE CLINTON FOUNDATION RECEIVED ADDITIONAL DONATIONS FROM INDIAN BUSINESS INTERESTS PRIOR TO HER BECOMING SECRETARY OF STATE
Associated Press: “Two Other Indian Interests Gave Between $500,000 And $1 Million Each… Ajit Gulabchand, Chairman Of The Hindustan Construction Co., Gave $250,000 To $500,000.” “Two other Indian interests gave between $500,000 and $1 million each: the Confederation of Indian Industry, an industrial trade association; and Dave Katragadda, an Indian capital manager with holdings in media and entertainment, technology, health care and financial services. Ajit Gulabchand, chairman of the Hindustan Construction Co., gave $250,000 to $500,000.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
BILLIONAIRE STEEL EXECUTIVE AND MEMBER OF THE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COUNCIL IN KAZAKHSTAN LAKSHMI MITTAL GAVE $1 MILLION TO $5 MILLION TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION BEFORE CLINTON BECAME SECRETARY OF STATE
Billionaire Steel Executive And Member Of The Foreign Investment Council In Kazakhstan Lakshmi Mittal Gave $1 Million To $5 Million To The Clinton Foundation. “The No. 4 person on the Forbes billionaire list, Lakshmi Mittal, the chief executive of international steel company ArcelorMittal, gave $1 million to $5 million. Mittal is a member of the Foreign Investment Council in Kazakhstan, Goldman Sachs’ board of directors and the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, according to the biography on his corporate Web site.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
SOON AFTER SECRETARY CLINTON LEFT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE CLINTON FOUNDATION “RECEIVED A LARGE DONATION FROM A CONGLOMERATE RUN BY A MEMBER OF CHINA’S NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS”
Wall Street Journal: Soon After Secretary Clinton Left The State Department, The Clinton Foundation “Received A Large Donation From A Conglomerate Run By A Member Of China’s National People’s Congress.” “After Mrs. Clinton left the State Department in 2013, the foundation resumed accepting donations from foreign governments. Just after she stepped down as secretary of state, it received a large donation from a conglomerate run by a member of China’s National People’s Congress.” [Wall Street Journal, 3/19/15]
CLINTON FOUNDATION CORPORATE DONORS
POWERFUL AND CONTROVERSIAL CORPORATE INTERESTS BASED IN THE U.S. ALSO DONATED TO THE CLINTON FOUNDATION
Blackwater And Yahoo Both Donated To The Clinton Foundation. “Corporate donors included the Blackwater security firm, at risk of losing its lucrative government contract to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq, and Web company Yahoo, involved in disputes over surrendering Internet information to Chinese authorities that led to the imprisonment of dissidents there.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Clinton Foundation: CGI Is Part Of The “Evolution Of The Conventional Philanthropic Model Over The Past Decade To A Dynamic Ecosystem That Now Promotes Creative Collaboration Across Antiquated Divides.” “This is the story the Wall Street Journal missed – the positive impact that members of CGI are having on millions of people worldwide and the evolution of the conventional philanthropic model over the past decade to a dynamic ecosystem that now promotes creative collaboration across antiquated divides. We are grateful to our members, who take on complex problems and often provide life-changing solutions.” [Clinton Foundation, 2/19/15]
Associated Press: “The Blackwater Training Center Donated $10,001 To $25,000” To The Clinton Foundation. “The Blackwater Training Center donated $10,001 to $25,000. The State Department will have to decide next year whether to renew Blackwater Worldwide’s contract to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq. A U.S. grand jury has indicted five Blackwater guards on manslaughter and weapons charges stemming from a September 2007 firefight in Baghdad’s Nisoor Square in which 17 Iraqis died.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Associated Press: Blackwater Spokeswoman: Blackwater Made Donation To Clinton Foundation “Long Before Senator Clinton Became The Secretary Of State-Designee.” “‘Blackwater frequently supports charitable organizations and we were honored to make a donation to this one, long before Senator Clinton became the Secretary of State-designee,’ said Blackwater spokeswoman Anne E. Tyrrell.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
Associated Press: “Slim-Fast Diet Foods Tycoon S. Daniel Abraham” Gave $1 To $5 Million To The Clinton Foundation. “Slim-Fast diet foods tycoon S. Daniel Abraham, a donor of between $1 million and $5 million, has been a board member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which promotes Israel’s interests before the U.S. government.” [Associated Press, 1/18/09]
…AND THE CLINTON FOUNDATION DEFENDED ITS PARTNERSHIPS WITH BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC CORPORATE INTERESTS
Clinton Foundation: “Many Of The Corporations Named In The Wall Street Journal Article Have Partnered With Non-Profit Organizations, Other Corporations, And Public Sector Entities On Commitments To Action That Are Making A Huge Positive Impact.” [Clinton Foundation, 2/19/15]
Clinton Foundation: “In Fact, A Recent Survey Of All CGI Commitments Revealed That Partnerships Across Sectors Often Increase The Likelihood Of A Project Achieving Its Objectives.” [Clinton Foundation, 2/19/15]
Clinton Foundation: “CGI Members Have Formed Partnerships That Have Made Tremendous…Improving Educational Opportunities For 36.5 Million People; Expanding Access To Capital For 3.1 Million People; And Increasing Opportunities Of Various Kinds For 2.8 Million Women And Girls.” [Clinton Foundation, 2/19/15]
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