Donald Trump voiced some harsh criticism about Hillary Clinton 's relationship with Saudi Arabia, when the two candidates went head-to-head once again Wednesday evening during the third and final debate of the United States presidential campaign.
Referring to donations from the kingdom and other Gulf countries received by The Clinton Foundation, an organization founded by Hillary and Bill Clinton along with their daughter Chelsea, Trump called on Clinton to return the money, citing human rights concerns:
"It's a criminal enterprise. Saudi Arabia giving $25 million. Qatar, all of these companies. You talk about women and women's rights. So these are people that push gays off buildings. These are people that kill women and treat women horribly. And yet you take their money. So I'd like to ask you right now why don't you give back the money that you have taken from certain countries that treat certain groups of people so horribly? Why don't you give back the money?" Trump said .
The Clinton Foundation received contributions totaling between $10 and $25 million from Saudi Arabia prior to becoming secretary of state under President Obama. The foundation also received contributions from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman totaling between $1 and $5 million after her tenure as secretary of state.
People were quick to point out that Trump was confusing things that shouldn't be confused
This point really needed to be driven home
But just because Trump's words were misleading, it is still illegal to be gay in Saudi Arabia
This guy made an excellent point though
Mike Pence, Trump's vice presidential candidate and running mate, has been an ardent opponent of LGBTQ rights throughout his tenure as a politician.
Of course, it's important to point out that Trump had – just minutes before – insisted that Saudi Arabia start paying the U.S. money
"Saudi Arabia, nothing but money. We protect Saudi Arabia. Why aren't they paying?" Trump said earlier in the debate
Donald Trump also maintains significant business interests throughout Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries . Earlier in his campaign, his Islamophobic rhetoric cost him financially within the region, as several companies suspended ties with the business mogul.
Trump has also famously sparred on a few occasions with Saudi Arabia's richest citizen, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal
But Prince Alwaleed actually bailed Trump out financially at least two times!
So, who should return Saudi money first? Clinton or Trump?