Declaring the Clinton Foundation "the most corrupt enterprise in political history", Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump today called for immediate closure of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's family charity.
"Hillary Clinton is the defender of the corrupt and rigged status quo. The Clintons have spent decades as insiders lining their own pockets and taking care of donors instead of the American people. It is now clear that the Clinton Foundation is the most corrupt enterprise in political history," he said.
Established by former US President Bill Clinton, husband of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary, the Foundation engages in welfare work and charity. It accepts donations from foreign governments and foreign nationals, which the 70-year-old billionaire tycoon is opposed to.
"What they were doing during Crooked Hillary's time as Secretary of State was wrong then, and it is wrong now. It must be shut down immediately," Trump said in a statement.
Trump's statement comes days after Clinton announced that the Foundation would not accept money from foreign governments and foreign nationals if Hillary wins the November elections.
Recent media reports alleged that the State Department - when Hillary, 68, served as Secretary of State in the first term of Barack Obama - helped in getting appointments for foundation officials with foreign governments.
The charges have been denied by the Foundation.
Later, Trump reiterated his charges on Fox News.
"Well, number one, they should shut it (Foundation) down, and number two, they should give the money back to a lot of countries and they shouldn't be taking money from. Countries that influenced her totally and also countries that discriminated against women and gays and everybody else. I mean, that money should be given back. They should not take that money," Trump said in an interview to the US network.
"Look, these are very greedy people. These are people that have skirted the law for a long time. Hard to believe that, you know, somebody like this has a good chance, you know -- a fairly good chance of being President," he said.
"Although if you look at the most recent polls I think things are turning. I think they're turning rather rapidly. But it's hard to believe she can even be running, to be honest with you, with the e-mails and the crimes she's committed she shouldn't be allowed to run for President," Trump said.
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Trump also announced a plan to build a 350-ship navy if he is elected to power and said that the American Navy is the smallest since it has bene since World War II.
"Our Navy is the smallest it's been since World War I. My plan will build the 350 ship Navy we need. This will be the largest effort at rebuilding our military since Ronald Reagan, and it will require a truly national effort," Trump said.
Trump said as the US fleet is rebuilt, his administration will need to invest in recruiting the skilled American craftsmen they need, like welders and pipe fitters and so much more.
"We will rebuild our navy and we will do it with American steel made right here in Pennsylvania. As part of our plan for bold change to make your life better, we will also rebuild our massively depleted infrastructure," he added.
