Donald Trump on Thursday night appeared on Larry King’s show on Russian state-backed network RT America, where the Republican nominee said that it’s “unlikely” that Russia is trying to influence the United States’ election in November.
“I think it’s probably unlikely. Maybe the Democrats are putting that out — who knows,” Trump said on RT America’s “Politicking” when asked about reports that U.S. officials are investigating whether Russia is attempting to influence the election.
“If they are doing something, I hope that somebody’s going to be able to find out so they can end it. Because that would not be appropriate at all,” Trump added.
King also asked Trump if he agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assessment that the hack into the Democratic National Committee was good for the American public.
“I don’t have any opinion on it. I don’t know anything about it,” Trump said in response. “I don’t know who hacked. I’m not sure. You tell me. Who hacked? Who did the hacking? But I have absolutely no opinion on that.”
After Trump’s interview with King aired on RT America, the Trump campaign said that they were unaware that the interview would air on the Russian television network. Trump spokesman Jason Miller told CNN that Trump recorded the interview for King’s podcast and that the Republican nominee would not have agreed to the interview had he known it would air on RT America.
“Mr. Trump was never told it would be shared anywhere else,” he said.
Trump has praised Putin throughout his campaign, and just on Wednesday evening said the Russian president has been a leader “far more than our president has been a leader.”
Watch Trump’s interview on RT America:
