Elections

‘Clinton Cash’ Author Talks New Movie, Graphic Novel And Exposing Clintons [VIDEO]

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JP Carroll National Security & Foreign Affairs Reporter
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The Daily Caller News Foundation spoke on the phone with Peter Schweizer, author of “Clinton Cash,” ahead of the premiere at the Cannes film festival of a documentary of the same name based on his New York Times bestseller.

TheDCNF: So how does the documentary differ from the book?

PS: It’s taking the material from the book and we basically go into the narrative in a way that’s even more accessible. We wanted to make sure we document and footnote in detail in the timeline, we do that in the documentary but in a visual way that makes it more accessible. I realize there are people that are very busy that don’t have time to read through the book, so this is something more accessible. That’s the main motivation behind the documentary and we’re very excited about it.

TheDCNF: Besides the documentary, what else is going on with your investigations into the finances of the Clintons and what other ways can people inform themselves about all this?

PS: We are doing ongoing investigations, there will be more coming out in the coming month; these will be new, independent investigations. A paperback edition of the book, “Clinton Cash,” will be out in July with a new intro. In addition to the film, there will be a graphic novel, artists that worked on Batman and other comics, have done a fantastic job of putting together a visual of Clinton Cash, which will be out at some point in July or August.

TheDCNF: In a previous interview with Bloomberg, you revealed since publishing “Clinton Cash” you have received death threats and have security. Why take this precaution and to what extent do you have security?

PS: We do have security precautions that we take at home and in the office and when we travel in certain situations like Cannes, there are additional precautions that are taken. There’s a concern, not something directly related to the Clintons, but rather, concern over supporters that don’t like what we’ve revealed. We try to be low-key but you can’t spend life looking over your shoulder.

TheDCNF: Ultimately, what is the goal that you hoped to achieve with the book and now with the documentary?

PS: Educating audiences is the goal. With the Clintons, it’s looking at the concern of money and politics being taken into a whole new direction. Most voters understand and are concerned about money from Wall Street and major corporations but with the Clintons it goes far beyond Goldman Sachs and major corporations. The Clintons it seems allow foreign governments and foreign financiers to influence our political process. This is one of the few consensus points left regardless of political views – politics is a dirty game but only Americans can play it; the Supreme Court 2012 decision to summarily affirm in a 9-0 ruling, the lower court decision on Bluman vs. FEC, about foreign contributions to campaigns, makes this clear. What will shock people is the attempts to allow foreign money to influence our electoral process. The concern in my mind isn’t Wall Street but foreign entities and that’s unprecedented in American political history.

TheDCNF: How is the relationship between the Clintons and foreign businessmen and governments any different from the relationship between the Bush family and the Saudi royal family, the Al Saud family?

PS: That’s a fair question. What the Clintons have done is figured out how to make money while they are in political office. The Clintons got money not just for Foundation, but in their pockets from foreign entities while she [Hillary] was America’s chief diplomat [secretary of state.] In the past with the Bushs or Saudis, there may be commercial relations that developed after or donations that were given after but not during office and not on a systematic basis while in office. Think about it, Clinton is chief diplomat from 2009 to 2013, she and her husband are getting millions of dollars from foreign governments and it’s legitimate but the scale and simultaneous nature are unprecedented.

TheDCNF: Do you think that foreign money will enter the 2016 elections? Is it possible the Clinton Foundation may be used to facilitate the availability of such funds in a historically expensive election?

PS: There is no direct evidence that foreign funds are heading to Clinton’s campaign, but Bill’s speaking fees will keep rising and contributions to the [Clinton] Foundation will rise. The masterful approach the Clintons have taken is you don’t need to influence them through the campaign but rather go directly to their pocket with speaking fees.

TheDCNF: What do you have to say regarding the corrections that were made to your book? How do they affect the legitimacy of the conclusions reached in the publication?

PS: The book has been more scrutinized more than any other in recent history. The seven to eight corrections were minor in nature and in no way changed the narrative. Whether it was the Russian nuclear deal or material on Haiti, none of the major elements and narratives and stories are affected at all by what were minor errors that were quickly corrected.

TheDCNF: How’s your schedule as you approach the premier of the film at Cannes and then in July in Philly before the DNC [Democratic National Convention] kicks off?

PS: Things are busy, I’ve got several interviews Sunday and Monday. I’ve always wanted to take the message to people that are open to and desire to know more about what our political leaders are doing. I’m not as interested in playing to the base; I’m not into the red meat or agitating those who agree. What will surprise a lot of people about the film when they see it, is if you watch the film as a liberal Democrat, you will be as upset as if you are a conservative Republican. It is about a betrayal of the principles the Clintons profess to embrace: about labor rights, global warming, etc. With the Clintons, everything is for sale. I welcome the opportunity in Cannes or Philadelphia or anywhere for people to watch the film and get a sense of what we’ve uncovered.”

A pre-screening of the documentary is being held Thursday in New York City at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. before the film goes to Cannes film festival and then has its U.S. premiere in Philadelphia July 24 before the Democratic National Convention gets underway.

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