Trump says he trusts Putin's denials of election meddling

He just doesn’t understand how to put country over self. Or to put it in terms he is more familiar with - Mr. Trump simply can’t bring himself to put America first,"

He's using this Asia trip to further sell brand Trump. He's never in his life cared about anything more than making money and increasing his exposure.

"There is no confirmation of our mass media meddling in election campaigns – and there can't be any," Putin said.

The Masha Gessen quote fits once again:

It’s not just that both Putin and Trump lie, it is that they lie in the same way and for the same purpose: blatantly, to assert power over truth itself.

"I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country," Trump said.

Well go ahead and send him our apologies when you see him again. I don't want any trouble.

Well that settles it. If Putin says he didn't do it, I totally believe him ;)

"Trump says he trusts Putin's denials of election meddling"

Bringing the grand total to...

One!

Trump trust Putin over his own intelligence agencies .

He's a traitor. As are his followers. Reagan is turning in his grave.

The president of the United States is a traitor.

I'm surprised Putin didn't offer to sell the Brooklyn Bridge to POTUS - he probably would have bought it.

So this proof that I can see which shows Russia and Putin did this is.....where? Oh the politicized intelligence agencies “say” so? That’s it?

The president of the United States is a traitor.

It's really beginning to look that way, don't it.

So this proof that I can see which shows Russia and Putin did this is.....where? Oh the politicized intelligence agencies “say” so? That’s it?

So, you believe Putin over the US intelligence community? Note: Even Mike Pompeo, Trump's pick for CIA director also agrees that Russia meddled in the US elections.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/11/politics/mike-pompeo-cia-donald-trump-white-house-russia-meddling/index.html

Who's the fool here, Trump or Pompeo?

For the sake of discourse let’s say they “meddled”. Where is the proof that changed the outcome of the voting or the election? In other words prove it was successful.

So Trump should just keep bringing this up every single time he sees Putin for the next 7 years? When there is no evidence their supposed attempt was even successful?

So Trump should just keep bringing this up every single time he sees Putin for the next 7 years?

Huh? That is precisely what Donny did. Why did Donny bring it up yet again?

And, why is it that pretty well anyone with direct knowledge of the election investigation agrees Russia meddled in the election except Donald Trump? Huh

so what was the result of the “meddling” and is it worth having conflict with Russia for 7 more years?

Blacklabel, the situation has gone beyond Russia's involvement in American elections. It's even exceeded the Trump team's legal problems. It has now reached the point where the very capacity of the president to function rationally is a subject of legitimate debate. "Epoch-making" would be appropriate.

so what was the result of the “meddling” and is it worth having conflict with Russia for 7 more years?

Normally what happens in a conversation is you answer a question and then you ask one of your own.

Neither of us have any idea what the result of the meddling is, because it is still under investigation. What we do know is good that Russia meddled in the election, Mike Pompeo agrees with this, and Donald does not. Why is that? Who doesn't know what they're talking aboug, Trump or Pompeo?

When there is no evidence their supposed attempt was even successful?

Quick test here, who is President? If you said Trump you are the winner. Trump won

because Russia meddled in the USA election as the entire US intelligence community

has stated. Only Trump wants to believe he won on his own. Plus his rapidly decreasing

band of misfit supporters who cannot think logically about anything.

No, Trump won because he won the election under the electoral system of the United States. I will leave this topic to you guys until you can prove otherwise.

I will leave this topic to you guys until you can prove otherwise.

Sounds about right, take your toys and go home. Bye bye!

"Trump says he trusts [ex-KBG Russian dictator's] denials of election meddling."

Alrighty.

Yes, Trump did win - but how Trump won is now less important than is what do do with an American president who is clearly incapacitated. The subject has been quietly discussed for some time; bet that this discussion will become more urgent.

@black lab having conflict with Russia for 7 more years?

Ah, another version of RT’s ‘Hillary will start WW3’ fiction redux. As someone who’s posted numerous provocative messages on this board intended to keep keep Americans fighting each other, you’re aware of how effective the repetitive use of memes is. You know it’s the repeated use of memes that works to influence the intellectually vulnerable. You know how quickly memes - and fake news, alt facts, outright lies and distortions of truth - are spread on social media and sites like this.

Anyone who denies that the meddling didn’t affect the outcome of the elections by influencing intellectually vulnerable voters is just shilling for whichever group, Russia or other right wing factions, they represent.

Blacklabel: so what was the result of the “meddling” and is it worth having conflict with Russia for 7 more years?

Of course not. Not worth it.

yeah ok now stupid people saw internet memes and changed their votes from Hillary to Trump. Riiiiiigght.

that’s a loooong way from Trump himself and his campaign actively “colluded” with Russia to be illegitimately elected, which is where this started.

I totally disdain Trump.

However, until evidence is provided (it has not been provided yet) then there is no proof this happened. It is, at least for all of use super intelligent posters on Japan Today, still hearsay.

I would like this to go to trial, evidence be presented, then we can say without a doubt the Russians meddled.

I felt the same way about Hillary Clinton by the way. Her accusers should have gathered evidence, presented it, and had a trial.

It seems U.S. politics has turned into "hate Trump 100%" or "hate Clinton 100%" or there is no room for agreement. It is a shame.

Black, we know the Russians really did hack both John Podesta’s and the DNC’s email accounts and found and released emails that damaged Clinton. We know the Russians really did conduct social media operations designed help Trump. We know that the Trump campaign was filled with operatives connected in shady ways to the Russian government and included individuals who knew that the Russians had obtained Clinton-related emails and who lied about that knowledge to federal investigators. In fact, to be a Trump operative without some kind of Russian connection probably made you appear foolishly out of the loop.

We know all this. Details, legalities, etc. of exactly what Russia did and how the Trump team aided and abetted are being compiled and will eventually become a part of history.

The more immediate problem is that we still have Trump to deal with.

I can't blame Trump. I don't trust the US intelligence agencies neither. I can't believe people actually buy into this stuff. Then again they bought into the polonium tea nonsense (because you know polonium=Russians. It was brilliant.) Heh.

Quick test here, who is President? If you said Trump you are the winner. Trump won

because Russia meddled in the USA election as the entire US intelligence community

has stated.

Every person from the right and even the looney left can agree on one thing, even what they know from the Russians meddling in the elections, it wasn't enough to tilt the scales. The Dems just had one of the worst candidates in modern history, Hillary didn't go to Wisconsin, she couldn't connect with the working class, she wasn't sincere, she wasn't trustworthy, she lied, was sneaky about her emails, her server and when Wikileaks came out and all the Podesta files and Comey coming out and slapping her with those allegations, that's what tipped the scales in Trump's favor. That's what the US intelligence and the voters and pollsters and political analysts were saying.

Only Trump wants to believe he won on his own.

He did, otherwise he wouldn't be where he's at. Electoral College numbers don't lie, look them up, please.

Plus his rapidly decreasing

He's not, he's about the same as he was with his base, so that's pretty good. The people that hate him, still do, so nothing really new, but I know the media is trying so, so very hard. Kudos.

band of misfit supporters who cannot think logically about anything.

Yeah, it's better that they fall in line and become sheep of the government and swallow what's being force-fed to them. Washington propaganda establishment BS.

"I think he is very insulted by it, which is not a good thing for our country," Trump said.

Isn't America lucky to have a leader who is so sensitive to the feelings of the Russians. He'll readily insult just about anyone else, but Putin is totally off limits.

I see our Russian friends have joined the conversation. ReturningGrace, thank you for bringing up the horrific murder conducted by agents of Russia of Alexander Litvinenko by polonium-induced acute radiation poisoning. Considering the questionable loyalties of the American president, now would be a good time to instill doubt regarding responsibility for that crime.

@Laguna - I would have to say I do not know all of this because there has been no evidence put forward that we can see. I think there should be more transparency in these types of investigations. Hey if the evidence is presented where I can see it and read the documents then I am on board with you.

If you know of documents showing where this happened I would certainly like to read them. I am in Japan so maybe I am missing something that folks in the U.S. have access to.

Until then there are plenty of other deficiencies with Trump as a President.

Isn't America lucky to have a leader who is so sensitive to the feelings of the Russians.

They haven't been threatening us in a hostile way, so what's Trump supposed to do? Be more insensitive? Threaten them?

He'll readily insult just about anyone else, but Putin is totally off limits.

If they start something he should, the Russians didn't do that yet at least he didn't go up to Putin and give him a stupid Red Button to play with.

Would any Trump supporter here accept the word of Putin?

Tokyo-Engr, poker would not be such the interesting game it is if players were required to show their hands throughout. I understand waiting for all of the cards to be shown is frustrating, but much can be read into the cards held by observing the behavior of the players. From what I've viewed, some very large cards are held on multiple sides.

My main point remains that we must yet deal with a dysfunctional president in the meantime. How, I surmise no one knows.

@Laguna - quite true and I do like the analogy.

Unfortunately this is not a game, not poker, and the stakes are much higher.

Regardless, it would be nice if a proper trial or hearings could be heard and then the U.S. could get this over with and move on. If it happened then proper actions should be taken. If not...ok...wash our hands of it and move forward.

As with Mr. Trump I think he will just end up being ineffective and that is all. He is almost at the point of being a lame duck at such a relatively early time in his presidency (I do not think this is ALL his own doing either by the way).

As with Mr. Trump I think he will just end up being ineffective and that is all. He is almost at the point of being a lame duck at such a relatively early time in his presidency (I do not think this is ALL his own doing either by the way).

It might not be all of his doing, but I would say that his actions like this tweet from yesterday is all on him.

Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old," when I would NEVER call him "short and fat?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend - and maybe someday that will happen!

9:48 AM - Nov 12, 2017 · Vietnam

28,173 28,173 Replies

33,522 33,522 Retweets 74,306

This is beyond words. And on Veterans' Day?

So is John McCain the only Republican in Congress willing to call the President out on this?

@Silva - I agree with you. That post is his and he "owns it" as they say. By the way I dislike Trump and see him as unfit for presidency....so I am still curious, what is a "Trumptard"?

Most of the President's ineffectiveness is his own doing. The aspects that are not his doing is the infighting within the Republican party and inability to put forth an effective tax reform package that makes any sense.

This is much like what happened to the Democratic party up to the election (I think Donna Brazille points this out well). Destruction from within. If the Democrats put forth a reasonable candidate, the real estate tycoon/reality start would not be President. This website would also be much less interesting.

Oh the politicized intelligence agencies “say” so? That’s it? so Trump and his supporters dont trust congress, intelligence agencies, media but Putin is fine!? There was another President that didnt trust his intelligence agencies and the media also, his name was Nixon.

Every person from the right and even the looney left can agree on one thing, even what they know from the Russians meddling in the elections, it wasn't enough to tilt the scales. bit like saying that I bought a new Ferrari 60% of my own money and 40% was gifted to me by the Mafia, but im fine with the fact that 40% of my new car is purchased by a corrupt cartel. A ton of legitimate doesn't negate an once of corruption.

A ton of legitimate doesn't negate an ounce of corruption.

Can anyone explain Trump's behavior towards Russia? Doesn't have to be illegal, just rational.

Putin: Tell them we had nothing to do with it.

Trump: Yes Master!

@Laguna. Hahaha. All of the sudden I'm stamped Russian since I don't trash Russia. People can be so s... silly. I don't supposed I'm wrong to assume that people don't live in a bubble and they still can think. Once the finger is pointed at Russia, people don't even need to think. Those bad guys must have done it.

As with Mr. Trump I think he will just end up being ineffective and that is all.

Tokyo-Engr, I'd naively wished the same. Sadly, the damage his incompetence has wrought is already apparent. Where we are now is akin to wishing you had't ended up with that Uber driver who keeps taking sips of cough syrup - but it's too late to exit the car. Note the article on JT today regarding how Russia has advanced its negotiating strategy over the peace deal with Japan from what to do with the Northern Territories to eliminating the Japan-US alliance.

All of the sudden I'm stamped Russian since I don't trash Russia.

ReturningGrace, apologies if my shortcut reference of "Russia" to mean "the oligarchical kleptocracy headed by Vladimir Putin" hurt you. I do know that the oligarchical kleptocracy headed by Vladimir Putin has hurt many Russians, which is a major cause of Russia's loss of talent and capital. And I don't blame Putin either; he's simply doing what any oligarchical kleptocrat would do in this situation, just as Trump is. Birds of a feather, you see. The proof is in the Putin.

This is fake news. Trump never said that. He just clarified his statements again at the press conference in Vietnam. Seems the media reacts first, thinks second. The retractions should start rolling in as I post.

Those bad guys must have done it. US intelligence has even stated to Trump that Russia was involved, Trump hesitantly accepted and imposed sanctions on Russia, now he has a little chat with Putin and he believes what he says. It basically comes down to two things. You either believe Putin is telling the truth or the US intelligence service. somebody is lying. take your pick.

This is fake news. Trump never said that. He just clarified his statements again at the press conference in Vietnam. Seems the media reacts first, thinks second. The retractions should start rolling in as I post.

I've just watched that live. I heard a load of evasive, repetitive, nonsensical gibberish as usual but he didn't say he didn't accept Putin claim of innocence.

I may have missed it and I find Trump-speak difficult to follow. Could you post the relevant quote?

Note the article on JT today regarding how Russia has advanced its negotiating strategy over the peace deal with Japan from what to do with the Northern Territories to eliminating the Japan-US alliance. ive been stating that for years, Japan can get those islands back but itll cost a boat load of money and / or very substantial political concessions, just depends if Japan thinks theyre worth it.

@blacklab yeah ok now stupid people saw internet memes and changed their votes from Hillary to Trump. Riiiiiigght.

I doubt very seriously that that many ‘stupid people’ (your words twisting mine) changed their votes because of Russian involvement in the campaign. Many Trump voters were those who had already been listening to Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, watching rightist youtube videos and watching Fox or Murdoch outlets. They were already convinced the ‘Clinton-Obama leftist communist atheist media lapdogs’ were trying to take their guns from them, allow terrorists (non-white, non-Christian, of course) to live in the US, make them stop saying Merry Christmas, among others they were easily convinced to fear. 

The Russian memes, alt facts and fake news stories helped reinforce the beliefs that had been pushed on them by rightist media (using memes, alt facts and fake news), which might have led people to change votes. 

Memes are very powerful. Anyone involved in marketing, be it product marketing (e.g. things go better with…) or political (‘she’ll start WW3!’), knows that, and knows how to use memes for maximum effect. 

I understand you're trying to provoke, but by twisting messages written by those whose opinions differ from yours to make their statements seem extreme, you’re once again continuing to present complex issues as only being seen as one of the extremes, black or white, zero or one. You’re removing all the gray in between the poles, all the nuance. That’s an example of an easy way to appeal to and try to have an effect the intellectually vulnerable. That’s an example of what Russian trolls did during the election and continue to do today.

I’m sorry but if a person is so intellectually vulnerable that they would vote based on a meme then we are all doomed. So if someone were impacted by all that you mentioned, how exactly is it Trump’s fault anyway?

follow the path: it was definitely treason! Then it was collusion, then coordination, then interference, then meddling, now might be memes and Facebook.

the bar gets lower and lower until something, anything sticks to try to justify it all. Anyone can see from some comments here that libs just want Trump gone and “Russia” is the narrative that is more likely than any other. because it has become “prove he didn’t” instead of “prove he did” because can always fall back on the “intelligence agencies said”.

who are the supposed 17 intelligence agencies really? Clapper, Comey and Brennan. Gotta show me something ad I don’t just take those 3 guy’s word for it about something this serious.

To further prove my point what is Mueller investigating now? Mike Flynn and his son’s business finances and some potential kidnapping of a Turkish leader.

Which has to do with Trump or the 2016 election how exactly?

I’m sorry but if a person is so intellectually vulnerable that they would vote based on a meme then we are all doomed. 

Funny how it worked out that way, isn't it?

who are the supposed 17 intelligence agencies really? Clapper, Comey and Brennan. Gotta show me something ad I don’t just take those 3 guy’s word for it about something this serious.

Don't forget Pompeo also said he believes Russia meddled in the elections. Its a simple question, so answer it. Who doesn't know what they are talking about, Trump or Pompeo?

I have no idea if this goes straight to Trump, but its quite obvious someone in the orbit knows something. To date, Sessions, Clovis, Kushner, and DJT Jr. have all been caught lying about their relations with Russia. Likewise, Manafort has been charged, Papadopolous has plead guilty, and Flynn is likely to be charged. That's a lot of "nothing."

Let's also not forget the complete 180 Trump's foreign policy made regarding Russia, and let's not forget this came right around the time Trump campaign people met with Russian ambassador Kislyak.

@blacklab So if someone were impacted by all that you mentioned, how exactly is it Trump’s fault anyway?

I never said it was. Once again you've distorted what I wrote. My message was and has been Russians meddled in the US election. Distort, distract, dismiss, deflect, distance: Hallmarks of the Department of Provocations. But thanks for keeping the Russia issues alive. LOL

Pompeo isn’t going to get attacked on what his predecessors said he is just like” sure yeah they meddled”. Because he knows that means nothing at all and he can just move on with his actual job in protecting Americans from terror and whatever else the CIA does.

same thing on this. Trump himself treasonously colluded with Russia to steal the election is now “well someone in the orbit must know something”. None of the charges or indictments so far are related to Trump personally in any way.

None of the charges or indictments so far are related to Trump personally in any way.

Exactly, which is why we should let this play out. ;)

I mean, so many in the Trump cabinet with Russian connections and then lying about them is nothing, right? ;)

I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election. As to whether I believe it or not, I am with our agencies, especially as currently constituted with the leadership.

That was a quick rollback - if that statement can be construed to hold any meaning at all (which, legally, it can't, given its nonsensicalness), and that's probably a major point, secondary only not to having caused a revolution among American "agencies." When you're down in a fight, it's best not to infuriate those who can do you great harm. But then, Trump has never been known for his discretion.

It’s established that the Russians meddled, (whether it swayed the election or not remains to be it never be determined). Russian trolls and their useful dupes try to divert, deflect from this, as if the doubt about its effectiveness means the attempt itself is meaningless. It’s not. This is a hostile act by a foreign power that any president fit to hold the office would have to address in the strongest way. Any that failed to do so would be demonstrating their unfitness to hold that office. Trump is plainly demonstrating that he is unfit.

Now Trump says he sides with his intelligence agencies - he's all over the place. Unless something new arrived between then and now, either he lied to Putin's face or he's lying now. Either way, that's not a boss move for a strongman who'd stand by one or the other

Putin must have given Trump the nod for a Trump Tower in Moscow!

*lm sorry but if a person is so intellectually vulnerable that they would vote based on a meme then we are all doomed.  ** last I checked it was the liberals who had the highest rates of education, the rest, well their jobs have gone to China*

Can anyone explain Trump's behavior towards Russia? Doesn't have to be illegal, just rational. "rational" and "Trump" in the same sentence, your asking a question that really doesn't have an answer

So is John McCain the only Republican in Congress willing to call the President out on this?

He's a Republican??? Seriously??

Exactly, which is why we should let this play out. ;)

Please do. I'm liking the entire Manfort, Podesta connection, I really want to know where that now leads to.

I mean, so many in the Trump cabinet with Russian connections and then lying about them is nothing, right? ;)

And now spilling over to the Democrat and Hillary side. Oh, my.......

Which is more dangerous to the World - US Democrats vs Republicans, or X ?

This on going internal bickering and finger pointing is somewhat depressing. If they feel someone else got the upper hand upon their Elections, then why not address the problem for future elections rather than putting at risk the whole of the US Nation, and.. the rest of the World in the process. It looks to me, that the US has lost its strength through these continuous two way fights ... which will never cease unless change happens.

Maybe Trump is right, Putin himself didn't have any direct input upon the US Elections. Just like Trump doesn't have any direct input upon covert operations performed by non-direct Government controlled Organisation. Whats sad, is that the two can't be allowed to get on, not because they themselves can, but because others are around saying that they can't. This is truely sad, and we will eventually just go the way of the Dinosaurs unless its sorted out.

@mmwkdw - your point is very well taken. The internal squabbling within the U.S. has reached the point where it is becoming dangerous. This includes squabbling within the parties themselves (vis a vis. Brazille's book and what is going on in the GOP).

@Silva - thanks for the definition. I remember being called a "Libtard" for some of my viewpoints and what it did was only make me completely disregard everything else the person said. I think using those terms brings the level of debate down to Trump's tweets.

Finally, for all that seem to want to suddenly believe the U.S. intelligence agencies...remember they are the ones that brought us the Gulf of Tonkin to start Vietnam, government overthrows in Central America, drug running, and illegal arms sales. Just because our intelligence agencies say something I do not take it at face value. I would prefer transparency and openness.

Obama bows too low to Japanese emperor, "He's so weak!"

Trump gives Putin a pass for interfering with our elections, "He's a peacemaker."

You got to love right-wing consistency.

this is the weekend of Veterans Day/Remembrance Day/Armistice Day to honor all military personnel and post-military veterans who served in times of war and peace. What does Trump do? He goes to South Korea and pops off his chops about Kim Sung Un again, acting like a schoolyard recess bully yet crying like a baby when Kim calls him names. Then he goes to Japan, acting like a bully again and shooting off his mouth like a kid. Then he goes to Russia and kisses Putin's derriere and licks his boots and gets told, "Now now. I did nothing to interfere with the US elections. You really are a god like you want others to think you are". Who are we fooling here? By kowtowing to Putin - in person! - Donald Trump has disgraced ALL the service members past and present. He's said NOTHING about the weekend or what it's all about. He said last year that PTSD veterans are 'weak', THIS is a total kick in the faces from this immature immoral unprincipled ill-mannered stupid LIAR and criminal.

President Trump is playing the media and the left. Again.

Since President Johnson, part of being President is lying to the media.

Trump is Putin's useful idiot.

Well, if Trump is not a naïve idiot then the alternative is far worse - that he is in some way acting for the Russian state and is a spy and a traitor.

He trusts Putin over his own intelligence agencies. He is a traitor.

Now now if Putin says he didn't do it then we must believe him, huh? We can see who REALLY runs the U.S.A.! Khrushchev said 'we will bury you'. It's happened but not by the Soviets but a Russian thug and the American quisling that he holds on a leash!

Valdmir Putin is a statue for every American statesman/stateswoman,politicans,lawmakers to learn to follow and act like he does! Mr. Trump is the first and thats why he is a honourable person!

Got to love these biased phrases of the hysterical globalist trump-hating media.

So Puting "denies" what exactly --- wild accusations that have never even been clearly defined, not to mention proven.

Salem witch trial, anyone? It is really something to behold to see the media leaving any resemblence of credibility behind. And to think that some low-information consumers even believe the nonsense...

Of course Putin would deny it. You can't depend on Trump to tell the truth. He is Putin's pawn and he is a traitor.