After facing widespread backlash over his performance at the Helsinki Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Trump on Wednesday said “people at the higher ends of intelligence loved” his press conference.
“So many people at the higher ends of intelligence loved my press conference performance in Helsinki. Putin and I discussed many important subjects at our earlier meeting. We got along well which truly bothered many haters who wanted to see a boxing match,” Trump tweeted. “Big results will come!”
So many people at the higher ends of intelligence loved my press conference performance in Helsinki. Putin and I discussed many important subjects at our earlier meeting. We got along well which truly bothered many haters who wanted to see a boxing match. Big results will come!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018
He also said the criticism he received is due to Trump Derangement Syndrome.
"Some people HATE the fact that I got along well with President Putin of Russia. They would rather go to war than see this. It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome!" he tweeted.
Some people HATE the fact that I got along well with President Putin of Russia. They would rather go to war than see this. It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018
After criticism from both the left and right, Trump clarified some of his remarks at Monday’s press conference, saying he does accept what U.S. intelligence has found about Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
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“I have full faith and support for America's great intelligence agencies. Always have," Trump said, reading from prepared remarks. "I accept our intelligence community's conclusion that Russia's meddling in the 2016 election took place," but added, “could be other people also. A lot of people out there.”
He also said he misspoke when he said Monday that "President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be."
"I said the word 'would' instead of 'wouldn't' and the sentence should have been: 'I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be Russia.' Sort of a double-negative," Trump said.
He also made clear during an interview with Fox News’s Tucker Carlson on Tuesday that he’s not “pro-Russia.”
"I’m not pro-Russia, pro-anybody," Trump said. "I just want to have this country be safe. ... You know, Russia and the United States control 90 percent of the nuclear weapons in the world and getting along with Russia – and not only for that reason – it's a good thing, not a bad thing."
Trump also said Wednesday that his meeting with Putin may ultimately end up being an even bigger success than the NATO summit.
"While the NATO meeting in Brussels was an acknowledged triumph, with billions of dollars more being put up by member countries at a faster pace, the meeting with Russia may prove to be, in the long run, an even greater success. Many positive things will come out of that meeting," he said. "Russia has agreed to help with North Korea, where relationships with us are very good and the process is moving along. There is no rush, the sanctions remain! Big benefits and exciting future for North Korea at end of process!"
While the NATO meeting in Brussels was an acknowledged triumph, with billions of dollars more being put up by member countries at a faster pace, the meeting with Russia may prove to be, in the long run, an even greater success. Many positive things will come out of that meeting..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018
....Russia has agreed to help with North Korea, where relationships with us are very good and the process is moving along. There is no rush, the sanctions remain! Big benefits and exciting future for North Korea at end of process!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018
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