Politics

Clinton touts popular vote win, says she's now 'part of the resistance'

Key Points
  • Hillary Clinton said Donald Trump should focus less on her popular vote win and more on things that are important to the country.
  • She also said she was "on the way to winning" before FBI Director Jim Comey sent a letter to Congress and WikiLeaks dumped emails phished from her campaign chairman, John Podesta.
  • Clinton also said she's now an "activist citizen and part of the resistance."
Hillary Clinton at an event last March.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters

While Hillary Clinton said she believes she lost the 2016 presidential race because of meddling, she also took an opportunity to rib Donald Trump.

"Remember, I did win by more than 3 million votes than my opponent. So, it's like ... really?" Clinton said at the Women for Women International Luncheon in New York.

When CNN's Christiane Amanpour said, "I feel a tweet coming," Clinton shrugged, "Well, fine."

"If he wants to tweet about me, I'm happy to be the diversion because we've got lots of other things to worry about. He should worry less about the election and my winning the popular vote than doing some other things that would be important for the country," she said.

Hillary Clinton takes a jab at Trump over immigration ruling
VIDEO0:3700:37
Hillary Clinton takes a jab at Trump over immigration ruling

Clinton also said she was "on the way to winning," but lost after FBI Director Jim Comey's letter to Congress and WikiLeaks "raised doubts" and "scared off" voters.

Yet, when Amanpour asked whether Clinton takes personal responsibility for the loss, the former secretary of State replied, "Of course!" Clinton added: "I take absolute personal responsibility. I was the candidate."

In November, Trump beat Clinton in recently blue Wisconsin, surprising pollsters. Trump's frequent appeals to working-class voters and focus on manufacturing also helped to fuel close wins in Michigan and Pennsylvania, Democratic strongholds in presidential elections for more than 20 years.

The former Democratic nominee admitted that her campaign made mistakes, but she also said her team also "overcame a barrage of negativity, of false equivalency."

"I'm now back to being an activist citizen and part of the resistance," Clinton said, as the crowd responded with applause.

— CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report.

Watch: Hillary Clinton claims the future is female

Hillary Clinton declares 'the future is female'
VIDEO0:4100:41
Hillary Clinton declares 'the future is female'

CORRECTION: John Podesta served as Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman. His title was misstated in an earlier version of this article.