MUMBAI – Describing the 2016 presidential polls in the US as the “firstreality TV elections”, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hasalleged Russian interference in the American elections was “unprecedentedand more than alarming”.
Ms Clinton, who was the Democratic Party candidate for the presidentialpolls, also said that America did not deserve to have Donald Trump as thePresident.
“Russian interference in the American elections was unprecedented and morethan alarming. It represents clear danger to democracy everywhere. It wasnot just intended to damage me and my electoral prospects. They wereintended to fan flames of division in our society,” she alleged.
“(Russian President) Vladimir Putin is not the most feminist of leadersthat I have ever met,” she said in her keynote address at the conclusion ofthe India Today Conclave on Saturday.
“There is distrust, divisiveness in US about the press, judiciary,Congress, politics, which constitute foundations of the democracy,” shesaid.
“In USA, people are mounting massive resistance to protect democraticinstitutions. People are coming together and standing up for democracy,”she said, adding that more such people are needed.
“Anti-immigrant feeling became virulent because of Trump’s rhetoric,” shealleged.
She said it was shameful that the US was the only country which was now notin the Paris agreement on climate change.
“I want to thank India’s leadership and commitment to bring other countriesto the recognition of threat posed by climate change,” she said.
To a question on whether America deserved Donald Trump as its president,she quipped, “No…He ran a TV reality campaign. It means a person who ismost outrageous and says incorrect things, but gets away with it.”