Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said in July he would "rather not have to vote" for Hillary Clinton in November, rattling off a host of reasons that included Bill Clinton’s reported infidelities, according to newly leaked emails published Wednesday.
"Although she is a friend I respect. A 70-year person with a long track record, unbridled ambition, greedy, not transformational, with a husband still dicking bimbos at home (according to the NYP)," Powell wrote to his business partner Jeffrey Leeds in July.
This is a good Colin Powell email pic.twitter.com/66krJvciYL
— Will Rahn (@willrahn) September 14, 2016
Powell, who served as former President George W. Bush’s secretary of state, confirmed the authenticity of the leaked emails Wednesday. He told NBC News the hackers "have a lot more."
Website D.C. Leaks obtained the emails from Powell’s private Gmail account. The group reportedly has ties to Russian intelligence.
Other emails showed Powell disparaging Donald Trump, calling the GOP nominee a "national disgrace" who "is in the process of destroying himself, no need for Dems to attack him."
In a subsequent email sent to an aide last month, Powell blamed Trump for inciting the "racist" "birther" movement, which disseminated the discredited rumor that President Obama was born in a different country.
While the retired four-star general has described himself as a longtime Republican, Powell endorsed Obama during both of his presidential bids.