Bill Clinton delivers emotional defence of charitable work
NEW YORK — Bill Clinton delivered an emotional defence of his family’s charitable foundation Wednesday, applauding contributors for having “validated hope and possibilities.”
The former president spoke at the close of the final meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, an arm of the broader Clinton Foundation. The annual CGI gathering in New York has brought together an unusual blend of political leaders, philanthropists and celebrities, with participants expected to make specific commitments for projects around the world.
This week’s event was held under a cloud of election year questions fueled by Donald Trump, who is locked in a close race against Hillary Clinton. The Republican has accused the Clintons of using their charity to enrich themselves and to give foundation donors greater access to Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.
Bill Clinton did not directly address those accusations Wednesday, but aides said he viewed his hour-long address touting CGI’s work as an implicit rebuke to critics. He said the initiative had marked a “profound advance” in global philanthropic efforts and had helped 435 million people in 180 countries.