Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump accused each other over misappropriation of funds

In another round of sparring, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have accused each other of misappropriation of funds meant for charity and "fraud" after reports said that two rival presidential candidates have overlapping interest in their charities. Trump's version of charity is taking money from others to settle his own legal issues, charged the Clinton Campaign.

On the other hand, the Trump Campaign alleged that the Clinton Foundation is first and foremost an arm of the Clintons' political and buck-raking apparatus. Allegations between the two campaigns flew thick and fast following publications of news reports in the US media that raised questions about the two charities and foundation. The Wall Street Journal in an investigative report said that Bill Clinton's speaking fee overlaps with the Foundation business.

"These revelations show that the Clinton Foundation is first and foremost an arm of the Clintons' political and buck-raking apparatus," alleged Jason Miller, senior communication advisor to the Trump Campaign. "After all, if there is one thing the Clintons are known for, it is that there is no line they won't cross and no corner they won't cut in order to earn a quick buck," Miller said.

In an investigative report, it also said that Trump spent more than a quarter-million dollars from his charitable foundation to settle lawsuits that involved the billionaire's for-profit businesses, according to interviews and a review of legal documents. "Clearly the Trump Foundation is as much a charitable organisation as Trump University is an institute of higher education," said Hillary for America deputy communications director Christina Reynolds.

"Trump's version of charity is taking money from others to settle his own legal issues and buy at least two pictures of himself, which experts say is a clear violation of laws governing charitable organisations," she said. "Once again, Trump has proven himself a fraud who believes the rules don't apply to him. It's past time for him to release his tax returns to show whether his tax issues extend to his own personal finances," Reynolds alleged.

Trump has proven time and again that he only cares about looking out for one person, himself, and it doesn't matter who he steps on to make that happen, alleged the Democratic National Committee press secretary Mark Paustenbach. "Now, we've learned he has gone so far as turn his 'charitable foundation' into a slush fund for covering his legal settlements, making illegal political contributions, and buying extravagant portraits of himself.

"Today's report that the Clinton Foundation is feting the wife of a Palestinian man convicted of helping bomb innocent Israeli citizens is deeply disturbing, especially in the wake of this weekend's attacks," Miller said based on another report in The Journal. "The decision to honour the wife of a terrorist by Hillary Clinton's foundation shows a complete lack of judgment and a callousness that should disqualify her from holding the presidency," he alleged.