Bill Clinton blames media for Hillary's 2016 loss

In a discussion on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe', former President Bill Clinton expressed his belief that mainstream media played a significant role in his wife Hillary Clinton's defeat during the 2016 presidential election. He argued that the media repeatedly emphasized Hillary's emails as the primary issue during the campaign, overshadowing other important topics. He pointed out that even the Trump State Department confirmed that Hillary did not send or receive any classified emails via her personal account, contesting the narrative presented by various news outlets. Clinton indicated that the media's portrayal of the situation created a negative perception of Hillary, despite her adherence to the rules in place during her tenure as Secretary of State. He noted that the rules regarding email usage were altered after she left office, suggesting that the public was misled about her actions at the time. Furthermore, Clinton highlighted the impact of then-FBI Director James Comey's actions, emphasizing that Comey's comments during a July press conference further complicated the narrative by labeling Hillary as 'careless'. He suggested that this move may have been a misguided attempt to ensure a balanced report, especially as Trump faced criticism. Reflecting on the media's role in shaping public opinion, Clinton underscored the challenges in understanding the election's outcome. He proposed that while the consequences of 2016 are clearer now, the dynamics in 2024 remain uncertain, potentially indicating ongoing issues with media narratives and their influence on political perceptions.