Many may not know, but there was a time when former President Donald Trump and his son, Don Trump Jr., made significant contributions to Hillary Clinton’s campaigns. According to Politico, federal disclosure records reveal that in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007, the Clinton Foundation received donations from Trump, totaling up to $100,000.
This revelation contrasts sharply with Trump’s later rhetoric. Despite having donated such a large sum, Trump later referred to the Clinton Foundation as “the most corrupt enterprise in political history.” He also accused donors of contributing to gain illicit access to the former Secretary of State. However, Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s campaign manager, defended his past donations, arguing that Trump’s motives were not about gaining influence.
When questioned by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, she stated, “No, it seems like he had access to her anytime he wanted. She went to his wedding.” She emphasized, “No, he was not paying to play.” Trump himself defended his previous contributions to Democrats, including Clinton, during an interview with Sean Hannity. He explained that supporting Democrats was a pragmatic choice at the time.
“So, what am I going to do, contribute to Republicans? Am I going to contribute to, I mean, one thing—I’m not stupid. Am I going to contribute to a Republican for my whole life when they get—they run against some Democrat? And the most they can get is one percent of the vote,” Trump told Hannity.
He further elaborated, “I mean, I’ve contributed to Schumer, I contribute—I’ve known Schumer for many, many years. And I have a good relationship with him. The fact is, that I think it is time maybe that we all do get along.”
Interestingly, despite his substantial contributions to Democratic causes, Trump’s support for Republican organizations was relatively modest. He donated just $1,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a stark contrast to his donations to the Clinton Foundation.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that donors to the Clintons, including foreign governments and businessmen, often had ulterior motives. He accused them of contributing to gain access for personal and political favors rather than genuine support for the foundation’s work. When asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2016 if Trump’s donations were similarly motivated, Conway dismissed the notion.
“No, it seems like he had access to her anytime he wanted. She went to his wedding. No, he was not paying to play,” she said. Conway defended Trump’s contributions further, stating, “The Clinton Foundation does a lot of good work and I also want to say for the record that they do. They do good work. And let’s hope that that money went to good use.”