On Russian TV, Trump Says It’s ‘Unlikely’ Russia Trying To Influence US Election

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

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:

Latest Livewire
49
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. First, who the hell knew Larry King was still around? Second, why the hell is he working for a Russian front? Third, birds of a feather…

  2. Yeah, my first question is “Larry King works for RT?” I knew he’s still around (god, he looks like he did thirty years ago), but I didn’t know he’s still on-air anywhere.

  3. Ya ! I was like whhaaat ? He’s not dead yet? That must be an interesting story in itself , how he got there and what compelled Trump to talk to him .

  4. “You have hoooorible breath.”

    /Trump

  5. Judging from the image, “Larry King Live” might be stretching a point.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

43 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for cabchi Avatar for matthew1961 Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for mcgloinm Avatar for teenlaqueefa Avatar for crackerjack Avatar for randyabraham Avatar for squeakyrat Avatar for mantan Avatar for daveyjones64 Avatar for lastroth Avatar for denisj Avatar for tao Avatar for captaincommonsense Avatar for terrydarc Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for kfraz43 Avatar for junebug Avatar for antisachetdethe Avatar for boisdevache Avatar for cwilcox Avatar for muggs Avatar for maximus

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: