Trump, Clinton Connection: ‘The Donald’ Says Private Email Use Was ‘Criminal,’ But He’s A Long-Time Friend Of Dem Frontrunner

The Trump Clinton connection could play a bigger part of the 2016 presidential race than one might expect.

While the two seem to be polar opposites on paper, you don’t have to do a lot of digging to know that they’ve often played friendly with one another when it comes to donations and social situations.

In fact, time will tell whether this does any damage to Trump’s candidacy for the Republican nomination, but more and more of his Democratic connections are starting to come to light, causing some on the right to think of him as a Democrat in Republican clothing.

First, the financials. According to Politico, The Donald and his son have given to Clinton’s political pursuits at least five times — in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007, as well as a $100,000 donation to the Clinton Foundation.

One would have to do more digging through federal and state disclosures to find out if the Trump Clinton financial connection goes any further than that, but it’s clear just from those instances that the two have worked on the same side in the past.

Also, in 2005, Trump married Melania Knauss, his third wife, in a ceremony that Hillary Clinton attended. (Bill did not make the wedding, but showed up at the reception.)

Recently on Fox News, Trump spoke to Greta Van Susteren about why he has played nice with Clinton in the past.

If you’re not at a place where you can listen to video, Trump notes that “as a businessman,” he got along great with Republicans, Democrats, liberals, and conservatives.

“Why would I say bad things about her when I need her?” Trump asked, then adding “but that’s part of the problem, Greta.”

Trump does not shy away from the fact that he has played the lobbying game to get what he wants as a business person, but admits it’s “a bad system,” and as someone who understands that system, he’s in a better position to change it.

He also believes that Hillary is “controlled by the special interests, the lobbyists,” who tell her what to think.

And most recently on the email scandal — keeping classified emails on her private server — Trump believes what Hillary has done is “criminal,” CNN reports.

Clinton has taken a few shots at Trump over his controversial illegal immigration comments when he said that “Mexico is not sending us their best,” but the battle between the two has yet to heat up to the level that it likely would if they emerged as the nominees for their respective parties.

But what do you think, readers? Is the Trump Clinton connection a bigger problem for Hillary or the Donald? Sound off in the comments section!

[Image of Trump Clinton mashup via The Pulse]