Online hackers have leaked personal emails sent by former Secretary of State Colin Powell labeling Trump a “national disgrace” and an “international Pariah.” When confronted about the leaked emails, Powell added that the hackers “have a lot more,” signaling he is not shy about his beliefs.
Buzzfeed News was the first to report on the harsh emails sent by Powell. The trail of the emails included Powell saying Trump was “in the process of destroying himself” and that there was “no need for Dems to attack him.” In an email following, Powell criticized Trump over his “birther” argument, which questions President Obama’s American citizenship. “Yup, the whole birther movement was racist,” according to a BuzzFeed’s report. “That’s what the 99 percent believe. When Trump couldn’t keep that up he said he wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim.” While the Trump campaign did not immediately comment after the emails surfaced, Trump now acknowledges the President was born in the United States.
There were accusations that connected Powell’s emails with the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton and Benghazi. Dragging Powell’s name into Clinton’s email scandal raised frustration, “I have told Hillary’s minions repeatedly that they are making a mistake trying to drag me in, yet they still try,” Powell wrote. In a 2014 email speaking about Hillary Clinton he wrote that “[he] would rather not have to vote for her, although she is a friend I respect.” He continued to slam her by describing her as having, “unbridled ambition, greedy, and not transformational.” Powell has not denied any of the emails released.