Madeleine Albright: Just by running for president, Donald Trump has 'already done damage'
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had a message for Donald Trump Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention: "Safeguarding freedom and security is not like hosting a TV reality show."
Because of her own time as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton "knows what it's like to step off that plane with the words 'United States of America' on it," Albright said. Securing freedom is "a complex, round-the-clock job that demands not only a steady hand and a cool head, but also a big heart," she added. "You are not just representing yourself, you are there for all of us. Hillary has displayed these qualities in every job she has ever had. Last week in Cleveland, we were reminded that her opponent possesses none of them."
Albright continued to rail against Trump, calling him out for his "strange admiration for dictators" and saying he has "already done damage just by running for president. He has undermined the fight against terrorism by alienating our Muslim partners. He has weakened our standing in the world by threatening to walk away from our friends and allies and by encouraging more countries to get nuclear weapons." If Trump wins in November, Albright warns it will be a "gift to Vladimir Putin, and given what we know about Russia's recent actions, Putin is eager to see Trump win. That should worry every American. Take it from someone who fled the Iron Curtain; I know what happens when you give the Russians a green light."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Cameroon bans reports on health of missing President Biya
Under the Radar Biya, 91, hasn't been seen in public in weeks, fuelling widespread speculation that he might be dead
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Jeff VanderMeer's 6 favorite books that dwell into the unknown
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Tana French, John le Carré, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Hostage taking didn't start on Oct. 7
Opinion It was always at the center of Iran's project to topple American power
By Mark Gimein Published
-
Man arrested as threats on FEMA hinder Helene relief
Speed Read The agency temporarily suspended door-to-door operations as a result of the threats
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Arizona kicks off swing-state early voting
Speed Read The voting began with less than a month to go before the presidential election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Netanyahu talk ahead of Israeli hit on Iran
Speed Read The pair spoke for the first time since August
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump kept up with Putin, sent Covid tests, book says
Speed Read The revelation comes courtesy of a new book by Bob Woodward
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Liz Cheney campaigns with Harris in Wisconsin
Speed Read The pair does not agree on much politically, but they share an anti-Trump stance
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Harris visit storm-hit North Carolina, Georgia
Speed Read President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took separate tours of the south to view the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jack Smith filing details Jan. 6 case against Trump
Speed Read The special counsel's newly unsealed brief argues Trump is not immune from prosecution and gives new details on his efforts to overturn the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published