Winding down the Clinton Foundation's programs and finding partners will take some time, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said Friday, and steps must be taken to make sure the programs' works don't suffer as a result.
"I have made it clear if I'm successful in November we are going to be taking additional steps [to avoid conflict] but the fact is, winding down some of these programs takes time," Clinton said in a telephone interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "You don't just turn on and off a switch. Even trying to negotiate with partner groups is a serious effort."
One of the foundation's outcomes was to bring together businesses and people to contribute their interests, and it takes time to carry out the connections, she continued.
Clinton lauded the foundation's success on bipartisan efforts, explaining that when former President Bill Clinton started the foundation after leaving the White House, he wanted to push for the development of generic medications for lifesaving AIDs treatments, and he worked with President George W. Bush on FDA approval.
The foundation's work, she continued, has been "in line with American interests and values. We are going to do everything we can to make sure that that good work continues. That is going to take some time."
Testing will be done to determine if the foundation's programs would suffer without any Ciinton involvement, and that will also take some time.
Clinton also claimed she would not criticize GOP nominee Donald Trump if the tables were turned and he was the one with a foundation accepting donations from overseas entities.
"I would be looking at the work," she told show co-host Mika Brzezinski. "People can say whatever they want. I understand that, but if there was no evidence that there was any conflict I would say, 'Look, I appreciate the work that they did to help 11.5 million people around the world get more affordable medicines and I appreciate the work that was done to help more people make a living and get a job and help American kids battle obesity and get better foods.'"
Clinton also insisted, once again, that neither she, nor husband Bill or daughter Chelsea ever accepted payments from the foundation.
Last week, the former president announced that if his wife was elected, the foundation would no longer accept foreign and corporate donations, he would step down from its board of directors, and he no longer would raise money for the organization. Chelsea Clinton, however, plans to stay on the charity's board.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.