Trump dismisses talk of Russian connection as 'non-sense'
US President Donald Trump has dismissed talk of a Russian connection as 'non-sense,' after Michael Flynn's resignation renewed questions about contacts between his associates and Russia over last year's election
Donald Trump sought Flynn’s resignation for misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other officials
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed talk of a Russian connection as "non-sense," two days after the resignation of his national security adviser Michael Flynn renewed questions about Moscow interference in US politics.
Trump accused his critics of scandal-mongering in order support his election-time rival, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
"This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign," Trump said in an early morning post on Twitter.
This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017
On Monday, Trump sought Flynn’s resignation for misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about a phone conversation he had with the Russian ambassador to the United States.
The New York Times the following day reported that US intelligence agents intercepted calls showing that members of Trump's campaign team "had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election" in which Russia is accused of interfering via the hacking of Democratic officials.
US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia had intervened in the electoral process at least in part to help Republican property tycoon Trump win.
In a barrage of tweets, Trump took fresh aim at some of the media on Wednesday, decrying “conspiracy theories” while praising the conservative Fox television network.
"The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred. @MSNBC & @CNN are unwatchable. @foxandfriends is great!" he tweeted.
The fake news media is going crazy with their conspiracy theories and blind hatred. @MSNBC & @CNN are unwatchable. @foxandfriends is great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017
Trump also accused the US intelligence services of having leaked information, directly pointing the finger at the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
"Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washington post by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?) Just like Russia," Trump wrote.
Information is being illegally given to the failing @nytimes & @washingtonpost by the intelligence community (NSA and FBI?).Just like Russia
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017
In yet another tweet, Trump contrasted his Russia policy with that of predecessor Barack Obama.
"Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?" Trump wrote.
Crimea was TAKEN by Russia during the Obama Administration. Was Obama too soft on Russia?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017
In calling for a stepped-up investigation of Trump and Russia, Democratic lawmakers are renewing demands that Trump release his tax returns, saying they would show any financial relationship with Russia.
