President Donald Trump’s attempt at damage control isn’t going over so well.
Trump claimed Tuesday that he misspoke when he said he accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s denial that the Kremlin had interfered with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
“President Putin just said it’s not Russia,” Trump said Monday at a press conference with the Russian leader. “I don’t see any reason why it would be.”
After political figures on both sides of the aisle severely criticized Trump for dismissing the U.S. intelligence community’s assessment that Russie meddled in the election, the president claimed he hadn’t meant to say what he did.
“I would like to clarify, in a key sentence in my remarks, I said the word ‘would’ instead of ‘wouldn’t,’” he said. “The sentence should have been: ‘I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia.’”
That may be what Trump is selling, but not many people appear to be buying it.
Trump’s excuse is being questioned by politicians ...
Even though English was the second language I learned, I know the difference between 'would' and 'wouldn't'.
— José E. Serrano (@RepJoseSerrano) July 17, 2018
I just don’t buy the President’s comments today. If he wanted to take a stand on Russian election interference, he should have had the strength to do it in front of Vladimir Putin.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) July 17, 2018
President Trump is adamant there was ‘no collusion,’ yet equally adamant about avoiding the Special Counsel.
— Senator Jack Reed (@SenJackReed) July 17, 2018
President Trump sat down with Vladimir Putin yesterday, now he should sit down with Bob Mueller.
Capitol Hill office buildings are flooded. I KNEW God was going to punish us for Helsinki. Thanks, #TrumpPutin. pic.twitter.com/PsHqkLIucT
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) July 17, 2018
... journalists ...
It's interesting Trump says Obama didn't do anything about Russian meddling (he did do something) b/c he thought Clinton was going to win while also claiming Russian meddling isn't why Clinton lost.
— John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) July 17, 2018
Is he saying if Obama had done more to stop Russia then Clinton would've won? https://t.co/habyqXNjKS
Even in the attempted clean-up, the president made an aside that undermined it all: “I accept our intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia meddling in the 2016 election took place
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) July 17, 2018
...Could have been other people also. Lots of other people out there”
Trump is deathly afraid of being laughed at. News flash, Mr President: The world is laughing at you. This is the silliest spin ever! https://t.co/a8F0eKPxVc
— Max Boot (@MaxBoot) July 17, 2018
i obviously meant to shout "I DON'T OBJECT" sorry that i ruined your wedding
— Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) July 17, 2018
In summary: 1) Trump is attempting one of the most implausible political clarifications in recent American history. 2) Midway through the ludicrous clarification, Trump reiterated much of the original point he was theoretically clarifying.
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 17, 2018
... snarky citizens ...
I now realize my divorce could have been made far easier if I had merely explained that I had meant to say “I do..... not.”
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) July 17, 2018
A man who unironically calls himself a "very stable genius" claims it took him 30 hours to realize he said "would" instead of "wouldn't"
— Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) July 17, 2018
Donald Trump says he "misspoke" on election meddling and he sees no reason why Russia would not be responsible.
— Denizcan Grimes (@MrFilmkritik) July 17, 2018
This man is the dumbest person on the planet.
But some people just had lingering questions.
I can't decide which is more pathetic:
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) July 17, 2018
The fact that the President is trying to say he meant the opposite of what he said or the fact that rank and file Republicans believe him.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.