Bill Clinton and Trump Had Private Phone Call Weeks Before Trump’s 2016 Announcement

A new Washington Post report reveals that Bill Clinton and Donald Trump had a private phone call weeks before Trump got in the presidential race, in which the former president reportedly “encouraged” Trump’s political efforts.

Yes, this new report today from Robert Costa and Anne Gearan has people close to Trump and Clinton confirming they spoke some time in May.

There was apparently no talk specifically of 2016, but the former president reportedly “encouraged Trump’s efforts to play a larger role in the Republican Party.” And while Clinton never explicitly encouraged The Donald to run against his wife, he also said Trump “was striking a chord with frustrated conservatives and was a rising force on the right.”

Hillary Clinton has been pretty tough on Trump in recent weeks, but Trump does have a long history with the Clintons that includes giving money to them.

Days after Trump announced his presidential run, Clinton joked with Jon Stewart that he’s glad Trump gave to the Clinton Foundation before the rest of the GOP got the memo.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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