Hillary Clinton to Medgar Evers College Grads: ‘Losing an Election Is Pretty Devastating,’ Especially to Trump

Hillary, Medgar Evers College APRichard Drew
Richard Drew/AP

Former Secretary of State and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took several jabs at President Donald Trump during a commencement speech on Thursday at Medgar Evers College in New York.

“I’ve had a few setbacks in my own life … and losing an election is pretty devastating, especially considering who I lost to,” Clinton said.

She also made a point to commend a graduate from Yemen, referencing Trump’s executive order to temporarily block individuals from six terror-torn countries from entering the United States.

“I’m certainly glad he wasn’t banned from America,” Clinton said.

She also riffed on Trump’s winning slogan and promise to “Make American Great Again.”

“You are an inspiring group,” Clinton said. “You come from 94 countries, speak 44 languages — you embody what makes New York and America great already.”

The New York Daily News reported, “Clinton, decrying the emboldening of white supremacists and a recent ‘surge in hate crimes across our country,’” cited the murder of two men in Portland, Ore., who intervened when a man with a criminal record harassed two women, one of whom wore a hijab.

“We all — not just our nation’s leaders, but all of us — must recommit ourselves to the urgent work of protecting the safety and civil rights of all our people,” Clinton said.

Clinton started her speech referencing the election.

“When I was here last year, someone asked if I would come back and speak at commencement,” Clinton said. “Now, I wish I had flown in from the White House, but I’m just as happy to be here anyway.”

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