Watch Trump Praise Hillary as a 'Great Wife' and 'Great Senator' in 2008

Donald Trump referred to Hillary Clinton as a "nasty woman" during their third and final debate on Wednesday night — sparking quite an empowering reaction from viewers,including apparel — but it wasn't so long ago that Trump had an entirely different view of his opponent.

In a 2008 interview with NY1, a local news station in New York City, Trump praised both Hillary and Bill Clinton, calling Hillary a "great senator" and a "great wife to a president." In the three-minute clip published just before Wednesday's debate, Trump also discussed how well the country did during the Clinton years.

"You know you look at the country then," he said. "The economy was doing great. Look at what happened during the Clinton years. I mean, we had no war, the economy was doing great, everybody was happy. A lot of people hated him because they were jealous as hell. You know people get jealous and they hate you."

Trump has attacked Bill Clinton for his sexual misconduct in the White House and criticized trade deals he helped steward as president. But in a 2008 blog post, which CNN unearthed, Trump addressed the NY1 interview, continuing to lavish praise upon the Clintons.

"Hillary is smart, tough and a very nice person, and so is her husband," he said. "Bill Clinton was a great President. They are fine people. Hillary was roughed up by the media, and it was a tough campaign for her, but she's a great trouper. Her history is far from being over."

Prior to this year's bruising and bitter campaign, the Clintons and the Trumps were at least on friendly terms. Trump has donated to past Clinton campaigns and contributed to the Clinton Foundation, according to NPR. The Clintons attended Trump's wedding to Melania in 2005; Bill and Donald have been photographed playing golf together, and their daughters, Chelsea and Ivanka, are friends and, according to Chelsea, will remain friends after the Nov. 8 election.

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From: Elle