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Clinton Doesn't Specify How Weinstein Money Will Be Re-Donated

October 11, 2017

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she would donate the money she personally received from Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, neglecting to say what would happen to the money Weinstein gave to her campaign committee.

In clips from CNN's "GPS" that aired Wednesday on "OutFront," Clinton answered questions from Fareed Zakaria about her relationship with Weinstein. Zakaria asked about the money she received from him, and she said she would donate it to unspecified charities.

"I give 10 percent of my income to charities every year and this will be part of that," Clinton said referring to re-donating Weinstein's donations.

Clinton went on to answer questions about Weinstein and her relationship and if she knew about the sexual harassment.

"I was just sick, I was shocked, I was appalled—it was something that was just intolerable in every way," Clinton continued. "This was a different side of a person who, I and many others had known in the past."

This is Clinton's first time publicly speaking on the sexual harassment allegations against the famous Democratic donor. Clinton waited five days before releasing a statement on Weinstein’s sexual harassment accusations by her press secretary on Twitter.

Zakaria followed up, "Would you have called him a friend?"

"Yes, I probably would of, and so would so many others. People in Democratic politics for a couple of decades appreciated his help and support," Clinton said.

Weinstein is accused of sexually harassing women many times over three decades. The New York Times first broke the story that has since brought out more accusations. Oscar-winning stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie have come forward to share their stories. The New Yorker also uncovered a tape of Weinstein admitting he groped women as well.

Clinton said she did not know anything about his sexual harrassment during their friendship.

"I certainly didn’t," Clinton said. "And I don't know who did, but I can only speak for myself, and I think speak for many others who knew him primarily through politics."

Clinton’s 2016 running mate Sen. Tim Kaine (D., Va.) was asked if donations from Weinstein to the campaign would be re-donated to charities to support the effort to stop sexual harassment.

Kaine condemned sexual harassment but said, "Well, the campaign's over."

Zakaria drew from an interview Monday where Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) said anyone who received donations from Weinstein should re-donate that money to charities combating sexual harassment, or sexual assault.

"Would you give the money back?" Zakaria asked.

"Well, there's no one to give it back to," Clinton said. "What other people are saying, what my former colleagues are saying is they're going to donate it to charity, and of course I will do that."

She only stated in the clip that she would donate money from her personal income. Zakaria did not ask about the money Clinton's campaign committee and other groups received from Weinstein, which is substantial.

Weinstein gave Clinton $5,400, maxing out to Clinton's campaign committee. He also gave more than $30,000 to the Hillary Victory Fund and the $250,000 to the Clinton Foundation.

The Democratic National Committee only pledged to give 10 percent of its Weinstein money away, and it announced it would give that fraction only to Democrat-aligned groups. Clinton did not say what groups she would donate her money to.

As of June 30th, Hillary for America had $986,363.83 and the Hillary Victory Fund had $300,000 cash on hand. The committee also still had payroll for over a dozen employees and continues to refund donors.

The campaign has also donated $800,000 to Onward Together, Clinton's new political committee.