Donald Trump represents Republicans’ best shot to win the presidency, former secretary of state Colin Powell confided in a private email conversation this past February.

An apparent friend of Powell’s (who isn’t a public figure) sent Powell an email on February 24, asking: “If you wanted the Republicans to win the white house, who would you strategically cast your vote for? (Different than who you want to see as president.)”

“Strategically at this point I deeply regret to say Trump has the best, but hopefully, slim chance,” Powell replied. “None of the others remaining can approach Hillary.”

Trump, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Dr. Ben Carson were the remaining Republican candidates when Powell tapped Trump as the one most likely to beat Clinton. (Jeb Bush dropped out just days before.)

The email was one of 30,000 emails that were stolen from Powell’s personal email account, as originally reported by The Daily Caller. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Colin Powell’s Personal Email Hacked)

The hacked emails reveal some people close to Powell expect him to endorse Clinton before the Nov. 8 election.

Powell was not aware that he was hacked before being contacted by TheDC.

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