NBC's Today Falsely Claims Clinton’s Foundation “Doled Out” Money To Private Firm

Written by Media Matters Staff

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NBC correspondent Peter Alexander falsely claimed that a Wall Street Journal report showed that a foundation headed by former President Bill Clinton “doled out” $2 million to a for-profit company. Discussing a Wall Street Journal article on ties between a company, Energy Pioneer Solutions, and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), Alexander said it showed “former President Bill Clinton's foundation doled out $2 million to a power company that's partly owned by a wealthy divorcee.” In fact, according to the Journal report, CGI did not give any money to the company; the foundation simply announced at its annual convention a $2 million private investment from businesswoman Kim Samuel. From the May 13 edition of NBC's Today:

PETER ALEXANDER (CORRESPONDENT): Also this morning, The Wall Street Journal is just now reporting that former President Bill Clinton's foundation doled out $2 million to a power company that's partly owned by a wealthy divorcee, a woman by the name of Julie Tauber McMahon, about whom the Journal says questions have been raised whether she's a frequent visitor to the Clinton's home. The paper says McMahon has denied having any intimate relationship with Clinton,says they are simply family friends. And Clinton, according to the Journal, says there are many foundation participants who he considers friends. Secretary Clinton did not respond to the Journal's request for any comment.