Can someone put into context the amount of wealth generated by the Clinton's after their exit from the Whitehouse? Particularly, how does it compare to other Presidents' wealth generated after leaving office and where does it come from?
Left dead broke now we here. Where did all the money come from, is it unprecedented, and are concerns about her loyalty to the American people justified?
Posted Oct 4, 2016, 2:33 PM UTC
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It is an interesting issue, primarily because once you are done being president you are out. Hillary though went into office as a senator and then ran for president and then became secretary of state so she and Bill have had significantly more people looking into their finances than other former presidents.
In the last few decades it is VERY common to sell a book or even two as a former president AND also do a tour for speaking fees. For example George W. Bush collects 100k+ for speaking fees but the difference between him and Hillary is that he isn't in office any more AND he is speaking to people that generally give a fuck about what he has to say(SOURCE). Why in the hell does Goldman Sacks care about what Hillary has to say about anything?
In comparison it is hard to say because of the gap in what is considered a LOT of money for different presidents. Here is a good break down. Jimmy Carter rarely takes any money and his philanthropy MORE than makes up for any sum he could possibly take.
Older presidents didn't make much, if I remember Truman was dead broke after his presidency, which is why there is now basically a retirement fund for living presidents and their spouses, which makes sense honestly at the time but not so much anymore.