Hillary Clinton has defended taking money from Harvey Weinstein, arguing the Obamas did it too and she 'could not have possibly known' about the raft of sexual assault allegations against him.

The former presidential candidate, 72, was asked if she had any regrets about her lengthy association and close friendship with the disgraced movie mogul, 67, in a wide ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Weinsten, who is facing life in prison if convicted in his upcoming rape and sexual assault trial, had been a longtime major donor to the Clintons. He donated $250,000 to the Clinton Foundation and $10,000 to Bill's legal fund when he faced impeachment during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

But when asked about her association with the shamed producer Clinton told The Hollywood Reporter: 'How could we have known? He raised money for me, for the Obamas, for Democrats in general.

'And that at the time was something that everybody thought made sense. And of course, if all of us had known what we know now, it would have affected our behavior.'

Former Secretary of State Clinton was speaking ahead of the premiere of a documentary about her at Sundance, titled Hillary. She had been in talks with Weinstein to create a TV documentary about her failed campaign until allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him.

Hillary Clinton, left, has defended taking money from Harvey Weinstein, right, arguing the Obamas did it too and she 'could not have possibly known' about the raft of sexual assault allegations against him. Clinton and Weinstein are pictured in 2004

Barack Obama pictured with Harvey Weinstein, left. The two men are also pictured with Senator Lautenberg and Senator Schumer in 2006

Hillary Clinton participates in the Hulu 'Hillary' panel. She had been in talks with Weinstein to create a TV documentary about her failed campaign until the allegations surfaced against him

Weinstein is charged in New York with raping one woman in a hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performing a sex act on another in 2006. Opening statements are expected as soon as this week, following two weeks of jury selection.

In a Los Angeles case, which will be tried later, he is accused of sexually assaulting two women on back-to-back nights in 2013.

The former studio boss behind such Oscar winners as 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Shakespeare in Love' has said any sexual activity was consensual.

Since 2017, more than 80 women, including many famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades.

But both Hillary and Bill, who had a close friendship with Weinstein for decades, have denied having any knowledge about his offenses.

However, a New York Times article revealed Clinton's campaign had been warned about the rumors swirling around about Weinstein.

Actress Lena Dunham - one of Hillary's biggest celebrity endorsers - emailed her campaign's deputy communications director in 2016.

The former presidential candidate, 72, was asked if she had any regrets about her lengthy association and close friendship with the disgraced movie mogul, 67, in a wide ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter, pictured

The email stated: 'I just want you to let you know that Harvey's a rapist and this is going to come out at some point.

'I think it's a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it's an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault.'

Hillary, promoting the four-part Hulu series about her life, also touched on her dislike of Bernie Sanders in the interview with The Hollywood Reporter, telling them: 'It's not only him, it's the culture around him. It's his leadership team. It's his prominent supporters. It's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors, particularly the women.'

She also says Donald Trump is a 'worse' president than she expected and answers questions about her marriage in the wake of Bill's relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

The former president is said to have held back tears in the new documentary as he speaks about his affair.

Hillary says: 'Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. It's painful, but it's also revelatory because we've always loved each other and had each other's backs. Have we had ups and downs like every married couple I know? Absolutely.

'I'm grateful that he [Bill] understood that this was a really terrible time. But I also think in every marriage there's not just one side. So, I could say the same for him, that I'm not always the easiest person to live with. I'm glad he stuck it out, too.'

Probed on her marriage being 'an arrangment' Hillary said: 'I hope it does [show that it is a love story] because it's real and it's been around for a long time now — nearly 50 years, for heaven's sake.

'I would love for that to be conveyed because I'd love to have the reality of my life story better aligned with the press and the public understanding of it. That would be a big step forward.'

Harvey Weinstein arrives at court in New York on Tuesday morning on his walker ahead of opening statements in his rape and sexual assault trial

Both Hillary and Bill, who had a close friendship with Weinstein for decades, have denied having any knowledge about his offenses. Bill and Weinstein are pictured in 2006

Weinsten, who is facing life in prison if convicted in his upcoming rape and sexual assault trial, had been a longtime major donor to the Clintons. He donated $250,000 to the Clinton Foundation and $10,000 to Bill's legal fund when he faced impeachment. Clinton and Weinstein are pictured in 2012 at the TIME 100 Gala

Hillary did not immediately comment on the allegations against Weinstein and waited six days to release a statement condemning her friend.

'I was shocked and appalled by the revelations about Harvey Weinstein,' she said in a statement posted on Twitter.

'The behavior described by the women coming forward cannot be tolerated. Their courage and the support of others is critical in helping to stop this kind of behavior.'