President Donald Trump vigorously defended his decision to hold a Monday summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a series of tweets posted early Wednesday.
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
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
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
The president came under significant media scrutiny following the summit after he appeared to give some credence to Putin’s claim that he did not interfere in the 2016 presidential election, despite being told the opposite by his intelligence community leaders.
“I have confidence in both parties,” Trump said, adding that he didn’t see any reason why Russia would interference on his behalf.
Trump then clarified Tuesday after reviewing the transcript and clip of his press conference. “I realized that there is a need for some clarification,” he said.
“In a key sentence in my remarks, I said the word ‘would’ instead of ‘wouldn’t,’” Trump explained, adding “the sentence should have been, ‘I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t, or why it wouldn’t be Russia,’” he said Tuesday. “So just to repeat it, I said the word ‘would’ instead of ‘wouldn’t,’ and the sentence should have been — and I thought I would maybe be a little bit unclear on the transcripts or unclear on the actual video — the sentence should have been, ‘I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia.'”