Hillary Clinton rebukes GOP rival, predicts ‘Trump recession’

Democrat Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that if the US Congress does not act to close tax loopholes that benefit the wealthy and corporations, she will ask the treasury department to take up the issue if she is elected President.

“Let’s make sure that Wall Street, corporations and the super rich pay their fair share of taxes,” Ms Clinton said in Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital.

The former US secretary of state used her campaign stop to offer her vision for bolstering the economy after using a speech on the topic on Tuesday to attack presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, predicting a “Trump recession” if he becomes President.

Mr Trump delivered his own speech attacking Ms Clinton on Wednesday, saying she is part of a political establishment that has cheated American workers through bad trade deals.

Both candidates are seeking to overcome their high unfavorable ratings among voters at the Novemebr 8 election by painting the other as a villain who puts personal gain over the interests of less powerful Americans.

Even by the standards of modern presidential races, the sparring between Ms Clinton, a former secretary of state and US Senator, and brash businessman Mr Trump has made for unusually acidic rhetoric.

“Hillary Clinton may be the most corrupt person ever to seek the presidency of the United States,” Mr Trump said.

Meanwhile, Brent Scowcroft, who was national security adviser to two Republican US Presidents, on Wednesday endorsed the Democrat for President over Mr Trump, in a snub of the Republican Party’s likely nominee by a prominent member of its security wing.

“The presidency requires the judgment and the knowledge to make tough calls under pressure. I believe Hillary Clinton has the wisdom and experience to lead our country at this critical time,” Mr Scowcroft said.