Politics

Clinton Antagonist-Turned-Friend Defends Clinton Foundation

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Chris Ruddy — who transitioned over the years from Clinton antagonist to Clinton buddy and donor — is defending the former first family as they face conflict of interest questions about their foundation.

Ruddy dismissed recent reporting drawing connections between actions taken by Hillary Clinton while secretary of state and donations to their foundation in a Monday piece titled “In Defense of the Clinton Foundation” on his conservative news site, Newsmax.

“Perhaps it’s better to say where there’s smear, there’s not always fact,” Ruddy writes.

Ruddy also writes that after seeing recent reports about author Peter Schweizer’s forthcoming book “Clinton Cash,” it “became clear to me the only thing ‘tangled’ and ‘blurred’ are the numerous unsubstantiated, unconnected, and baseless allegations being made about them.”

Ruddy, who recently pledged a $1 million donation to the Clinton Foundation, acknowledges in his piece his defense may seem strange considering his history with the Clintons.

“In fact, it may come as a surprise to some,” Ruddy writes. “In the 1990s I was described by both James Carville and George Stephanopoulos as the Clinton White House’s No. 1 press enemy. But after Bill Clinton left the White House, I came to admire him and his post-presidential work.”

It’s been viewed as a strange turn of events, considering Ruddy authored the book “The Strange Death of Vince Foster” in the nineties. But since Bill Clinton left the oval office, Ruddy and Clinton have developed an unique relationship for a conservative publisher and a Democratic president.

“I was drawn to him largely for the very same reason he and his wife are being criticized today: the Clinton Foundation,” Ruddy said. “Over time, I was impressed enough with its work that I even became a donor.”

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