Donald Trump Finally Admits There Was An "Anti-US Campaign" By Russians During 2016 Election

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, who has never acknowledged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, finally did so today in light of the 13 Russian nationals indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Several hours after the news of the indictment, Trump took to Twitter to declare, "Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!"

Now, to be clear, the indictment did not address (yet) whether anyone on the Trump campaign knowingly collaborated with Russian actors.

But - at least he finally admitted there was an "anti-US campaign" by Russia.

The White House issued this statement:

“We cannot allow those seeking to sow confusion, discord, and rancor to be successful. It’s time we stop the outlandish partisan attacks, wild and false allegations, and far-fetched theories, which only serve to further the agendas of bad actors, like Russia, and do nothing to protect the principles of our institutions. We must unite as Americans to protect the integrity of our democracy and our elections.”

Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!

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

DOJ statement and indictments reveal the extent and motivations of Russian interference in 2016 election. Claims of a “hoax” in tatters. My take: Implausible that Russian actions did not influence the views and votes of at least some Americans.

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

Finished indictment. Mueller’s core story today is:

Russians meddled

It was illegal

They had some cooperation from inside the U.S.

That cooperation can be a crime by Americans

— Ari Melber (@AriMelber) February 16, 2018

We never talked to the Russians

We talked to the Russians but not about Clinton

We talk to the Russians about Clinton but there was no collusion

We talked to the Russians about Clinton and there was collusion but we didn't know they were Russians

[TBD]

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) February 16, 2018