At a rally for Kamala Harris in Michigan on Tuesday, former President Bill Clinton made a remark [1] that drew mixed reactions, acknowledging that “the economy was better” under former President Donald Trump.
Clinton’s statement elicited groans from the crowd in Muskegon Heights, as some appeared to interpret the comment as a pro-Trump slip.
However, Clinton quickly clarified, urging attendees to support Harris despite his comments on the economy.
“I don’t think it’s right to say that people have to vote for Donald Trump because the economy was better then,” Clinton stated, adding that he believes Harris would be the better choice in the upcoming election.
He emphasized his perspective, saying, “I think I’m entitled to my opinion about who would be better… I used to be president, and I think I did pretty well.”
He did it again!!
Bill Clinton admits “the economy was better” under Trump while campaigning in Michigan for Kamala.
Greatest Trump surrogate of the election cycle. pic.twitter.com/Xt4PK8OfhU [2]
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) October 30, 2024 [3]
Clinton’s remarks drew further attention given recent criticism of Harris and the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of key issues, including the economy and border policies.
His comments add to a previous statement he made a few weeks earlier in which he suggested that the death of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley “probably wouldn’t have happened” if the administration had “properly vetted” Riley’s alleged murderer, an illegal migrant.
Bill Clinton says Laken Riley’s death “probably wouldn’t have happened” if Kamala did her job at the border, continues on to imply that we need illegal immigrants for cheap labor.
He was supposed to be campaigning FOR Kamala. YIKES. pic.twitter.com/k55Ee8rVH3 [4]
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 14, 2024 [5]
Riley, a student at Augusta University, was allegedly killed this year by an illegal immigrant who had been released into the U.S. Clinton’s reference to her case connected Harris with the administration’s immigration policies, which have faced significant criticism since many Trump-era policies were reversed or suspended in early 2021.
One such policy, the Remain in Mexico program, which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases were processed, was among the changes implemented on President Biden and Harris’s first day in office.
Clinton’s comments, delivered at a rally intended to boost Harris’s campaign, underscore some voters’ ongoing concerns over the economy and the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of immigration.
His statement about the economy being stronger under Trump highlights a sensitive issue for the Harris campaign, as polls show economic concerns remain a top priority for many Americans heading into the election.
While Clinton claims he supports Kamala Harris despite his remarks, reactions to the comments have continued on social media, with discussions centered around his acknowledgment of Trump’s economic record.