Trump Smirks As He 'Warns' Putin To Not Meddle In US Elections

Enjoying the attention of press and camera crews at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Donald Trump was asked if he was going to warn Russian President Putin against meddling in U.S. elections.

“Yes, of course I will,” replied Trump.

Turning to Putin with a smirk, Trump said, “Don’t meddle in the election, President.” He also gestured to the Russian delegation repeating, “Don’t meddle in the election.”

They all thought it to be quite hilarious.

All U.S. intelligence agencies have agreed that Russian forces worked to influence the 2016 presidential election which delivered a surprise win to Trump.

Trump also joked with the Russian leader about what he calls 'fake news,' telling Putin, “Fake news is a great term, isn’t it? You don’t have this problem in Russia, but we do.”

“We also have,” replied Putin. “It’s the same.”

Smirking Trump jokes to Putin: don't meddle in US election.

It's not a joke.
https://t.co/ZP6AnSetkF pic.twitter.com/r6uhbceD5b

— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) June 28, 2019

Trump also bonded with Putin over a scorn for journalists.

“Get rid of them. Fake news is a great term, isn't it? You don’t have this problem in Russia, but we do.”

“We also have,” Putin answered, in English. “It’s the same.”

They shared a chuckle. pic.twitter.com/atGGYxnwfc

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 28, 2019

Trump Reverses Course (Again) On Putin Proposal

Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Putin (R)

During the Donald Trump/Vladimir Putin press conference on Monday, Trump praised Putin's 'offer' to allow Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team to travel to Russia to 'observe' interrogations of the 12 indicted Russian military officers as 'incredible.'

In exchange, however, Putin wants to question Americans including our former Ambassador to Russia who was critical of the Russian president.

Danger Will Robinson, danger.

Via Politico:

Trump called the idea an "incredible offer" during the news conference. And on Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that the president would “meet with his team” on Putin's proposal, setting off a Russia-related backlash against the Trump administration for the third straight day.

By Thursday, as the Senate prepared to formally rebuke Trump, the White House reversed course.

“It is a proposal that was made in sincerity by President Putin, but President Trump disagrees with it," Sanders said in a statement. "Hopefully President Putin will have the 12 identified Russians come to the United States to prove their innocence or guilt.”

The Senate voted 98-0 for a resolution denouncing the idea that we would hand over our foreign diplomats, past or present, to Russian agents for interrogation.

By the way, a new poll by SurveyMonkey shows 79% of Republicans approve of how Trump handled the Monday press conference.

Compare that with 91% of Democrats who disapproved and 62% of Independents who disapproved.

Overall, the numbers fell pretty much in line with Trump's usually polling - 58% disapproved and 40% approved.

With Fox News Turning On Him, Trump Attempts To Walk Back Statements At Putin Summit

Donald Trump

In a very awkwardly delivered statement, Donald Trump (reading from prepared remarks) attempted to walk back some of his disastrous comments made in Helsinki yesterday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Calling his Helsinki summit with Putin the “most successful visit” about “the most pressing issues facing humanity,” Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. relationship with Russia is now “substantially better” after the summit.

The Trumpster also asserted that he has faith in the U.S. intelligence establishment’s conclusion that Russia interfered, and then swerved back into the underbrush saying it could also be somebody else.

“I have a full faith in our intelligence agencies. Always have. I accept our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia’s meddling took place (though) it could be other people also.”

And just for good measure, or out of habit, he threw in another "There was no collusion at all."

Trump tried to explain that at the summit he 'misspoke' and said “I don’t see any reason why it would be Russia” rather than “I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia.”

Here's the word salad explanation: “The sentence should have been ‘I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia,’ sort of a double negative. So you can put that in and I think that probably clarifies things pretty good by itself. I have on numerous occasions noted our intelligence findings that Russians attempted to interfere in our elections.”

Watch below.

To be clear, Trump still seemed to waffle in his acceptance of U.S. intelligence: "I accept our intelligence community's conclusion that Russia's meddling in the 2016 election took place. Could be other people also. A lot of people out there." (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/Gp4hzEbZBc

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 17, 2018

Donald just fixed everything by retroactively amending the transcript of his televised statement about election meddling to read, “I don’t see any reason why it WOULDN’T be Russia,” instead of "WOULD be Russia." He also clarified that he likes to grab women by their puppies.

— Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) July 17, 2018

The would-wouldn't defense is preposterous. Trump undermined IC's Russia assessment multiple times yesterday, citing Putin's "strong" denial, raising DNC server conspiracy theory. In fact, he has expressed same doubts for >2yrs. A missing contraction is a grammatical red herring.

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) July 17, 2018

Trump didn't misspeak. But if he did, wouldn't he have corrected himself earlier? Wouldn't one of his press secretaries have urgently issued a statement? Wouldn't Dan Coats have said as much? Instead, none of that happened. Officials were speechless.

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 17, 2018

And for the Game of Thrones fans:

pic.twitter.com/2tI5EnY4We

— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) July 17, 2018

Jimmy Kimmel: We Now Know Beyond A "Treasonable Doubt" Putin Has Blackmail Evidence On Trump

Jimmy Kimmel

In his opening monologue last night, Jimmy Kimmel could not hold back when it came to the news of the day, Donald Trump's disastrous meeting and press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Well, I guess that settles it. There you go. If you’re wondering whether or not Vladimir Putin has an incriminating video of Donald Trump, we now know beyond a treasonable doubt he does.

"This wasn’t a good day for Donald Trump. We haven’t seen an American so owned by a Russian since Rocky IV.

"Putin’s just having fun with this now. He actually offered to have his intelligence agents investigate the hacking of our election. That’s like Papa John offering to investigate who’s been saying all the racist stuff at the company.”

As Trump exited the presser, he brought up Hillary Clinton's emails yet again. Says Kimmel, "Always close with your biggest hits - that's the way to go."

Watch the segment below.

Trump Celebrates His Summit Meeting With His Boss

Over on Earth Two, Donald Trump celebrated his (widely-panned) performance at his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While I had a great meeting with NATO, raising vast amounts of money, I had an even better meeting with Vladimir Putin of Russia. Sadly, it is not being reported that way - the Fake News is going Crazy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2018

Meanwhile, former CIA director John Brennan had a different take on Trump's performance in Helsinki:

"What Mr. Trump did yesterday was to betray the women and men of the FBI, the CIA, the NSA and others and to betray the American public. And that's why I use the term that this was nothing short of treasonous. Because it is a betrayal of the nation." -- @JohnBrennan pic.twitter.com/qckQn71DMB

— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) July 17, 2018

Sen. John McCain On Trump: "The Most Disgraceful Performance By An American President In Memory"

Sen. John McCain of Arizona (R)

Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has issued a scathing rebuke of Donald Trump's statements made at a joint press conference today with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During the presser, Trump publicly disregarded the reports of U.S. intelligence agencies and accepted the denials of Vladimir Putin on Russian election meddling.

McCain’s statement:

“Today’s press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory. The damage inflicted by President Trump’s naiveté, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats is difficult to calculate. But it is clear that the summit in Helsinki was a tragic mistake.

“President Trump proved not only unable, but unwilling to stand up to Putin. He and Putin seemed to be speaking from the same script as the president made a conscious choice to defend a tyrant against the fair questions of a free press, and to grant Putin an uncontested platform to spew propaganda and lies to the world.

“It is tempting to describe the press conference as a pathetic rout – as an illustration of the perils of under-preparation and inexperience. But these were not the errant tweets of a novice politician. These were the deliberate choices of a president who seems determined to realize his delusions of a warm relationship with Putin’s regime without any regard for the true nature of his rule, his violent disregard for the sovereignty of his neighbors, his complicity in the slaughter of the Syrian people, his violation of international treaties, and his assault on democratic institutions throughout the world.

“Coming close on the heels of President Trump’s bombastic and erratic conduct towards our closest friends and allies in Brussels and Britain, today’s press conference marks a recent low point in the history of the American Presidency. That the president was attended in Helsinki by a team of competent and patriotic advisors makes his blunders and capitulations all the more painful and inexplicable.

“No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant. Not only did President Trump fail to speak the truth about an adversary; but speaking for America to the world, our president failed to defend all that makes us who we are—a republic of free people dedicated to the cause of liberty at home and abroad. American presidents must be the champions of that cause if it is to succeed. Americans are waiting and hoping for President Trump to embrace that sacred responsibility. One can only hope they are not waiting totally in vain.”

Donald Trump Throws His Own Intelligence Agencies Under The Bus For Putin

Donald Trump is being heavily criticized for siding with Russia over U.S. intelligence agencies

Absolutely stunning display of anti-American behavior by a U.S. president.

Standing on the same stage as Russian President Putin, Donald Trump says he takes the word of Putin over his own intelligence agencies regarding the election interference in 2016.

Last week, the Special Counsel's investigation indicted 12 Russian agents who were found to have hacked and interfered in the presidential race in 2016, but today Trump told the world that if Putin denies ordering the disruption into our democracy, then he believes the Russian president.

Stunning.

When a respected journalist like Anderson Cooper leads with, "You have been watching perhaps one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president at a summit in front of a Russian leader certainly than I've ever seen," you know something astonishing has happened.

Even Fox News anchors were critical of the Donald's performance today.

President Trump: "My people came to me, [Director of Nat'l Intelligence] Dan Coats came to me, some others, they said they think it's Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it's not Russia. I will say this, I don't see any reason why it would be."https://t.co/d78lF0GlCt pic.twitter.com/W3DDqLV5Ql

— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 16, 2018

"You have been watching perhaps one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president at a summit in front of a Russian leader certainly than I've ever seen." - Anderson Cooper on Trump-Putin summit pic.twitter.com/xHbmAZl0y3

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) July 16, 2018

I think this is the most important clip you can watch today.

One of the most conservative men in media, Neil Cavuto, on Fox News, said what Donald Trump did today alongside Putin was absolutely "disgusting."

It's the clearest rebuke from a staunch conservative you'll see. pic.twitter.com/yT2j6FP7Kb

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) July 16, 2018

We were attacked by Russia and the President of the United States, who has sworn to protect and defend our country, is paying compliments to the authoritarian who attacked us instead of confronting him.

He'd rather kiss the ring than defend our democracy. https://t.co/6BGuEzdUiG

— Anthony G. Brown (@RepAnthonyBrown) July 16, 2018

Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) July 16, 2018

From a national security expert who has supported President Trump: “Played like a fiddle. Unmitigated disaster. Embarrassing.”

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) July 16, 2018

Trump Blames U.S. "Stupidity" For Poor Relationship With Russia

Donald Trump (L) and President Putin of Russia (R)

Heading into his one-on-one summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump via Twitter blamed the Untied States' "stupidity" for the poor relationship with Russia.

Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2018

The Foreign Ministry of Russia actually chimed in saying, "We agree."

We agree https://t.co/7l087Qwmj3

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) July 16, 2018

Predator trump just insulted American democracy right in front of Putin. He’s definitely a traitor. Mueller, please hurry. #TreasonSummit

— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) July 16, 2018

He is on foreign soil criticizing our country and praising Putin #TreasonSummit

— Amanda Morrow (@kaymorrow) July 16, 2018

Side-by-side, tag teaming, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are attacking the #Mueller probe.

This is open #Collusion, to discredit an investigation into an attack on all Americans.#TreasonSummit

— VoteVets (@votevets) July 16, 2018

Senate Intelligence Committee: Russia Carried Out Putin's Plans To Interfere In 2016 Election

Donald Trump (L) Vladimir Putin (R)

After a 14-month investigation, the Senate Intelligence Committee has found no evidence to dispute the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia, on orders from Putin, carried out an unprecedented election interference effort to help the Trump campaign and hurt the Clinton campaign in 2016.

Even Fox News is reporting the news:

Senate Intelligence Committee leaders on Wednesday backed the 2017 intelligence community report that formally accused Russia of trying to interfere in the U.S. presidential election to boost then-candidate Donald Trump.

Their statements followed a final closed-door interview on the matter with top Obama administration officials. The committee, led by Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., spoke Wednesday with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan and former National Security Agenda Director Michael Rogers (who retired earlier this year).

“Committee staff have spent 14 months reviewing the sources, tradecraft, and analytic work, and we see no reason to dispute the conclusions,” Burr said in a statement. “There is no doubt that Russia undertook an unprecedented effort to interfere with our 2016 elections. I look forward to completing the Committee’s inquiry and issuing our findings and recommendations to the American people.”

THEY CONCUR: Senate Intelligence Committee agrees with intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump

This contradicts Republicans on House Intelligence Committee

— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) May 16, 2018

“The Committee has obtained a number of documents that suggest the Kremlin used the National Rifle Association as a means of accessing and assisting Mr. Trump and his campaign.” https://t.co/U9CuxUHFTa

H/t @EricSchultz

— Sam Stein (@samstein) May 16, 2018

Preliminary finding from Senate Intelligence Committee investigation: “The Kremlin used the @NRA as a means of accessing and assisting Trump and his campaign:” https://t.co/4Tnc87Kz4d pic.twitter.com/n42tpfL41K

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 16, 2018

Trump Threatens "Big Price To Pay" For Syrian Chemical Attack

For the first time in his presidency, Donald Trump called out Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection to a chemical gas attack in Syria that killed at least 70 dead and more injured.

From The New York Times:

President Trump on Sunday promised a “big price” to be paid for what he said was a chemical weapons attack that choked dozens of Syrians to death the day before, and a top White House official said the administration would not rule out a missile strike to retaliate against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

In a tweet, Mr. Trump laid the blame for the attack partly on President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, the first time since his election that he has criticized the Russian leader by name on Twitter. Mr. Putin’s forces have been fighting for years to keep the Assad government in power amid Syria’s brutal civil war.

Mr. Trump also left no doubt that he believed the assessment of aid groups that Mr. Assad’s military had used chemical weapons to inflict the carnage on Saturday in Douma, a rebel-held suburb of Damascus.

The Times goes on to report that the White House has not ruled out a missile strike response among options available to the U.S.

The United Nations Security Council has announced it will hold emergency meeting Monday in light of the chemical attack.

According to reports, Trump has been mulling over pulling all U.S. military out of Syria. Observers are now curious to see if the Donald follows through on that considering these developments.

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

....to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

.@POTUS's pledge to withdraw from #Syria has only emboldened Assad, backed by Russia & Iran, to commit more war crimes in #Douma. @POTUS responded after last year's chemical attack. He should do so again & make Assad pay a price for his brutality. https://t.co/u30kF0ww8g

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) April 8, 2018

Your telegraphed intention to withdraw from Syria and disregard for basic human rights is worse than Obama’s unenforced red line. You enabled Assad and Putin’s escalating mass atrocities against Syrian children and other civilians. Now, you bear responsibility. https://t.co/X0DJXIKkCm

— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) April 8, 2018

And, of course, war hawk Sen. Lindsey Graham wants to go to war so bad:

After Pres. Trump tweeted about the apparent chemical attack in Syria, Sen. Lindsey Graham tells @MarthaRaddatz: “If [the president] doesn’t follow through and live up to that tweet, he’s going to look weak in the eyes of Russia and Iran. This is a defining moment.” pic.twitter.com/hzWihueyfq

— ABC News (@ABC) April 8, 2018

Trump Slaps At Critics For Congratulatory Call To Putin

Donald Trump was feeling a bit defensive this afternoon as he took to Twitter to slap at critics (and his own national security team one supposes) about his congratulatory call to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his "reelection."

Reelection, oh my sides... LOL

Trump wrote, "I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also). The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing. They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race. Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the “smarts.” Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET). PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!"

I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also). The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing.......

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2018

.....They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race. Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the “smarts.” Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET). PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2018

There's no way Trump even knows what "excoriate" means...

The Twitterverse reacted:

Trump says he won’t excoriate Putin despite: Russia meddling in the U.S. election, reports of wide-scale violations in the Russian election, and Russia allegedly carrying out a nerve agent attack in the U.K. on a former Russian double-agent. pic.twitter.com/Lckzf608zg

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 21, 2018

To be clear, Trump's own national security advisers are the ones who wrote these words: "DO NOT CONGRATULATE." https://t.co/ZB7NUeCCgp https://t.co/TH1QWV99rf

— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) March 21, 2018

Quick difference...

Obama call Putin in 2012 to congratulate- No Russia interference with our election.

Trump call Putin in 2018 to congratulate- Shitload of Russia interference in our election which Trump team is being investigated for.

— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) March 21, 2018

President Puppet Congratulates Russian President Putin After Being Warned Not To By National Security Team

Donald Trump

Even though his national security team told Donald Trump specifically not congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his election "win," in that it was neither a free nor fair election, Trump went ahead and did exactly that, according to The Washington Post.

Trump also ignored the direction to chastise the Russian president for the recent poisonings in the U.K., including one earlier this month of an ex-Russian spy with a nerve agent.

Although several world leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May condemned Putin for the near-deadly attack, Trump did not mention the topic.

Nor did he bring up Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election or attacks on the U.S. power grid.

The president characterized his phone call with the Russian dictator as “very good call,” and added, “We’ll probably be meeting in the not-too-distant future.”

It took President Trump less than 48 hours to congratulate Vladimir Putin on his election. Yet after 14 months, he still refuses to take any concrete steps to prevent foreign interference in the 2018 elections. #ProtectOurDemocracy

— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) March 20, 2018

BREAKING: WH @PressSec Sarah Huckabee Sanders says in his call to congratulate #Putin on his election "win," Trump DID NOT raise Russian attacks on our elections, or nerve agent attack in the UK.

What a disgrace.

— VoteVets (@votevets) March 20, 2018

General Kelly, next time do it this way. pic.twitter.com/SgkynlIubW

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) March 21, 2018

DO NOT LOOK AT THE ECLIPSE
DO NOT TOUCH NASA HARDWARE
DO NOT CONGRATULATE PUTIN pic.twitter.com/eUiCAp8nI8

— Randy Renstrom (@RandyRenstrom) March 20, 2018

Tweet Of The Day: Sen. John McCain

Add caption

John McCain: "We Are Doing Putin's Job For Him"

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

While Donald Trump continues to whine about "fake news" and "fake investigations," and his followers all fall in behind him, Republican Sen. John McCain issued a statement that gets to the very heart of the Special Counsel's investigation.

What's important for Americans to understand is that our Intelligence agencies all agree Russia interfered in our 2016 election. Whether it was specifically to get Trump elected or not, the disruption that continues today was the point.

Russia is succeeding and Donald Trump is so busy screaming "no collusion" he's not doing anything to protect future elections.

As McCain writes below, Trump's continued protests against our own intel organizations only serves Putin's interests.

Via press release:

“In 2016, the Russian government engaged in an elaborate plot to interfere in an American election and undermine our democracy. Russia employed the same tactics it has used to influence elections around the world, from France and Germany to Ukraine, Montenegro, and beyond. Putin’s regime launched cyberattacks and spread disinformation with the goal of sowing chaos and weakening faith in our institutions. And while we have no evidence that these efforts affected the outcome of our election, I fear they succeeded in fueling political discord and dividing us from one another.

“The latest attacks on the FBI and Department of Justice serve no American interests – no party’s, no president’s, only Putin’s. The American people deserve to know all of the facts surrounding Russia’s ongoing efforts to subvert our democracy, which is why Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation must proceed unimpeded. Our nation’s elected officials, including the president, must stop looking at this investigation through the warped lens of politics and manufacturing partisan sideshows. If we continue to undermine our own rule of law, we are doing Putin’s job for him.”

Donald Trump Believes Putin's Denials Regarding Election Meddling, To Inquire Further Would Be "Insulting"

Donald Trump (L) Vladimir Putin (R)

After meeting privately with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Danang, Vietnam, Donald Trump said that he had asked whether Russia had meddled in last year's presidential election.

According to Trump, Putin not only denied the allegation but appeared "insulted" by the issue.

From the New York Times:

“He said he didn’t meddle — I asked him again,” Mr. Trump told reporters traveling with him aboard Air Force One as he flew to Hanoi for more meetings. “You can only ask so many times. I just asked him again. He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did.”

Mr. Trump did not answer a direct question about whether he believed Mr. Putin’s denials, but his account of the conversation indicated he was far more inclined to accept the Russian president’s assertions than those of his own intelligence agencies, which have concluded that Mr. Putin directed an elaborate effort to interfere in the vote.

“Every time he sees me he says, ‘I didn’t do that,’ and I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Putin. “I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country.”

Mr. Trump heaped disdain on the former leaders of three American intelligence agencies — John O. Brennan, the former C.I.A. director; James R. Clapper Jr., the former director of national intelligence; and James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director he fired this year — appearing to suggest that they were less trustworthy than Mr. Putin.

“I mean, give me a break — they’re political hacks,” Mr. Trump said. “You have Brennan, you have Clapper, and you have Comey. Comey’s proven now to be a liar, and he’s proven to be a leaker, so you look at that. And you have President Putin very strongly, vehemently says he had nothing to do with that.”

So, to recap: Donald Trump believes a man who was trained as a KGB agent to lie successfully, and throws dedicated U.S. intelligence leaders under the bus.

Got it?

#Embarrassing

When the President of the United States believes Putin over our own FBI, CIA, and NSA it says something about who he likes and trusts. He prefers Putin over men and women who risk their lives for us. https://t.co/AMsPqttXLk

— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) November 11, 2017

“[Putin] said he didn't meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times. And I believe... I think he is very insulted by it.”

You know who else is insulted by it, Mr. President? The American people. You believe a foreign adversary over your own intelligence agencies. https://t.co/lZkQAch7CT

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) November 11, 2017

Things Trump believes: Putin’s denials about Russian meddling

Things Trump doesn’t believe: Obama’s birth certificate is real.

— Sam Stein (@samstein) November 11, 2017

Trump is a KGB officer’s dream. A perfectly indebted & fearful bootlick. His slavish loyalty to Putin is a clear & present danger to the Nation. #PeePeeTapesMustBeTrue https://t.co/7vgMquozXw

— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) November 11, 2017

For the first time EVER, the Dotard-in-Chief who said:
🤡[McCain's] not a hero...
🤡Crooked Hillary
🤡He knew what he signed up for
🤡Pocahontas
🤡Liddle Bob Corker
🤡Throw that son of a bitch out
CARES that someone felt insulted...Putin.https://t.co/DCf4O4A5IB

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) November 11, 2017

CIA chief Mike Pompeo: Putin attacked 2016 election.
DNI Dan Coats: Putin attacked 2016 election.
FBI director Christopher Wray: Putin attacked 2016 election.
NSA head Mike Rogers: Putin attacked 2016 election.
Putin: I did not attack 2016 election.
Trump: I believe Putin.

— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) November 11, 2017

The president attacks those who serve to keep us safe, while he covers for a foreign adversary’s attacks on our freedom. We’ve never faced this kind of challenge before, but it’s every bit as bad as it sounds. https://t.co/SVFKPrjkkr

— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) November 11, 2017

Anybody have a bridge to sell? https://t.co/FRJA7BEoN4

— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) November 11, 2017

Can @realDonaldTrump try a little harder to fall under the influence of a KGB agent, or is that not possible at this point? https://t.co/yC4zorPTdQ

— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) November 11, 2017

It's staggering that the U.S. President takes the word of a Russian dictator who presides over the killings of journalists, over his own intelligence community. https://t.co/NhtJwvM472

— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) November 11, 2017

Russian Election Disrupters Were Required To Watch "House Of Cards" To Understand American Politics

Yahoo News reports that Russian agents in a St. Petersburg "troll factory" were required to watch Netflix's hit series House of Cards in order to better understand American "problems" like guns, taxes, and gays.

The Russians who worked for a notorious St. Petersburg “troll factory” that was part of Vladimir Putin’s campaign to influence the 2016 presidential election were required to watch the “House of Cards” television series to help them craft messages to “set up the Americans against their own government,” according to an interview broadcast Sunday (in Russian) with a former member of the troll factory’s elite English language department.

The interview, broadcast by the independent Russian TV station Rain, provides new insight into how the troll factory formerly known as the Internet Research Agency targeted U.S. audiences in part by posting provocative “comments” pretending to be from Americans on newspaper articles that appeared on the websites of the New York Times and Washington Post.

“At first we were forced to watch the ‘House of Cards’ in English,” said Maksim in the interview. It was part of a documented “strategy” in the English language department to fully understand how the American political system works. “It was necessary to know all the main problems of the United States of America. Tax problems, the problem of gays, sexual minorities, weapons,” he said.

Among the major themes the trolls were to write about in their posts were guns and gays. “When it was gays, we almost always had to bring out the religious themes,” he said. “Americans are very religious, especially those [who post] on news sites and write comments. You had to write that sodomy is a sin. That could always get you a couple of dozen ‘likes.’”

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Trump: "Fake News" Reporting Of Secret Putin Chat Is "Sick"

Another morning, another Twitter rant from Donald Trump.

The New York Times reported yesterday that the president had an hour long previously undisclosed conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit earlier this month.

According to reports, the impromptu discussion included only Putin, Putin's translator, and Trump. No one other staff from the U.S. was present.

The hourlong conversation in Hamburg, Germany, took place at a private dinner of the world leaders at a conference hall on the banks of the Elbe River during the Group of 20 economic summit meeting. It followed a more than two-hour formal meeting earlier in the day between the two presidents that included their foreign ministers and featured a fraught discussion about Moscow’s attempts to interfere in the 2016 elections.

In the earlier meeting, Mr. Trump questioned the Russian president about his role in the American elections, Mr. Putin denied his involvement, and the two men agreed to move beyond the dispute in the interest of finding common ground on other matters, including a limited cease-fire in Syria.

But the intimate dinner conversation, of which there is no official United States government record is the latest to raise eyebrows. Foreign leaders who witnessed it later commented privately on the oddity of an American president flaunting such a close rapport with his Russian counterpart.

John Kirby, a diplomatic military analyst, told CNN, "While smaller pull-aside meetings are common, it is strange that a pull-aside with someone like Putin -- especially Putin -- would not include at least another national security official and a translator."

But this morning Trump took to his Twitter account to admonish the media for reporting the meeting and described the "fake news" as "sick" and "dishonest."

While the Trumpster tweeted that the media characterized the dinner as "secret," that isn't what news outlets were reporting. The dinner itself, and Trump's attendance were well known.

What wasn't apparent was an hour long chat between the two world leaders. And with no American aide to take notes, no one knows what was discussed.

The first volatile tweet read, “Fake News story of secret dinner with Putin is ‘sick.’ All G 20 leaders, and spouses, were invited by the Chancellor of Germany. Press knew!”

That was followed by, “The Fake News is becoming more and more dishonest! Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister!”

Fake News story of secret dinner with Putin is "sick." All G 20 leaders, and spouses, were invited by the Chancellor of Germany. Press knew!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2017

The Fake News is becoming more and more dishonest! Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2017

Trump U-Turns On US/Russian "Cyber Security Unit"

Yesterday, President Trump surprised many by sharing he discussed forming "an impenetrable Cyber Security unit" with Russian President Putin:

Putin & I discussed forming an impenetrable Cyber Security unit so that election hacking, & many other negative things, will be guarded..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

Of course, while Trump seems to trust Putin, the U.S. intelligence community unanimously agrees that it was Putin who ordered the interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Many compared teaming up with Russia on cyber security akin to hiring the burglar who robbed your house to develop a home security system.

One day later, Trump appeared to reverse course on the idea tweeting, "The fact that President Putin and I discussed a Cyber Security unit doesn't mean I think it can happen. It can't - but a ceasefire can & did!"

The fact that President Putin and I discussed a Cyber Security unit doesn't mean I think it can happen. It can't-but a ceasefire can,& did!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2017

Whip lash, anyone?

Trump Contradicts Secretary Of State, Plans "Cyber Security Unit" With Russia

Now that he's back on American soil having returned from the G20 summit, Donald Trump took to Twitter this morning to thoroughly confuse the world with messages that contradict each other.

First, Trump says he "pressed President Putin twice about Russian meddling in our election. He vehemently denied it. I've already given my opinion…"

Not sure if that means he takes Putin at his word that he didn't order election interference (when our intel community says he did) or not. The Russian Foreign Minister told press that Trump was "satisfied" by Putin's denials. No top White House aide has disputed that claim.

Trump goes on to say he "discussed forming an impenetrable Cyber Security unit so that election hacking, & many other negative things, will be guarded and safe."

So, he's going to team up with Putin to make sure election hacking will be guarded and safe? Or does he mean "guard against" election hacking?

And why would you team up with the guy who cyber-hacked our elections?

Isn't that like the FBI asking the Mafia to form an anti-crime unit?

And finally, Trump says "sanctions were not discussed." But this contradicts Tillerson, who told reporters sanctions were discussed between Trump and Putin.

Just another day in this wacky, tacky Trump world.

The G 20 Summit was a great success for the U.S. – Explained that the U.S. must fix the many bad trade deals it has made. Will get done!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

I strongly pressed President Putin twice about Russian meddling in our election. He vehemently denied it. I've already given my opinion…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

…We negotiated a ceasefire in parts of Syria which will save lives. Now it is time to move forward in working constructively with Russia!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

Putin & I discussed forming an impenetrable Cyber Security unit so that election hacking, & many other negative things, will be guarded..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

…and safe. Questions were asked about why the CIA & FBI had to ask the DNC 13 times for their SERVER, and were rejected, still don't….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

…have it. Fake News said 17 intel agencies when actually 4 (had to apologize). Why did Obama do NOTHING when he had info before election?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

Sanctions were not discussed at my meeting with President Putin. Nothing will be done until the Ukrainian & Syrian problems are solved!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2017

Of course, folks were inclined to chime in:

Partnering with Putin on a "Cyber Security Unit" is akin to partnering with Assad on a "Chemical Weapons Unit". 2/3

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) July 9, 2017

Too bad Bin Laden is dead. trump could partner with him to fight terrorism.

— Joy Sharp (@JoySharp58) July 9, 2017

Trump next will chat w/ ISIS to prevent terrorism: Trump: I discussed ‘impenetrable cyber security unit’ with Putin https://t.co/cEGunb5jPF

— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@Deanofcomedy) July 9, 2017

"Election hacking will be guarded."

Yes, we understand that is the goal. https://t.co/1LYQ4bDz07

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) July 9, 2017

Fmr. CiA Dir. Brennan to #MTP on Trump: "I don’t think he demonstrates good negotiating skills when it comes to Putin."

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 9, 2017

Ex-CIA Director Brennan on Trump's tweets: "It certainly indicates he doesn't take the word of the intelligence community" #MTP

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 9, 2017

I have half a shoe. I strongly pressed my dog, twice. He vehemently denies eating my shoe. I believe him. My dog will now oversee my shoes. https://t.co/0q6OKEFsf2

— Randi Mayem Singer (@rmayemsinger) July 9, 2017

Putin: Trump Was "Satisfied" With Denial Of Russian Interference In U.S. Elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Putin told the press today at the G20 summit that Donald Trump was "satisfied" with Putin's denial of interference in the 2016 presidential election.

From the New York Times:

There was a certain degree of exulting in the Russian capital on Saturday in the wake of the first meeting between President Vladimir V. Putin and President Trump, with Mr. Putin himself saying that the American president seemed satisfied with his answers on the hacking issue and that the talks had set the stage for improved relations.

Asked repeatedly about the two presidents’ conversation about accusations of Russian hacking during the 2016 American election, Mr. Putin said at a news conference in Hamburg, Germany, that Mr. Trump had paid a lot of attention to the issue, asking multiple questions.

“When possible, I answered his questions in detail,” Mr. Putin said, noting that he had reviewed previous exchanges that he had had with former President Barack Obama on the topic. “I got the impression that my answers satisfied him.”

And asked repeatedly whether Mr. Trump believed his denials about Russian interference, Mr. Putin said each time that the reporter should ask the American president.

The two accounts of the meeting — one from Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, and the other by the American secretary of state, Rex W. Tillerson, the only two officials in the room besides the two presidents — differed in some important details.

Notably, Mr. Tillerson said that Mr. Trump had confronted the Mr. Putin about Russian interference in the 2016 election during a “robust and lengthy” discussion. In Mr. Lavrov’s account, Mr. Trump accepted Mr. Putin’s denial.

“Believe Lavrov,” Mr. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told reporters on Saturday when asked about the divergent accounts. Some Russian officials expressed particular delight at that version.

While Putin advises asking Donald Trump about his take on the denial of interference, the fact is we can't because unlike other major world leaders Trump failed to hold a press conference at the end of the G20 summit.

The fact is Trump isn't really interested in finding out the truth. His own intelligence agencies have stated categorically that not only did Russia interfere in the 2016 elections, but they have gone so far as to say with confidence that it was by order of Putin.

For Trump to be "satisfied" with the denial of a Russian president over the word of the U.S. intelligence community is outrageous. It means the Donald would rather believe Putin than experienced U.S. intelligence agents.

And by the way, what did the Donald expect Putin to say when asked about the interference?

"Oops - you got me!" ???

Watch Putin's press conference below. His answers regarding the Trump meeting begin around the :39 mark.