Trump defends his exchange with Vladimir Putin over election meddling
OSAKA, Japan – President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G-20 gathering of world leaders in which he appeared to joke about that country’s meddling in the 2016 election.
Asked during a wide ranging news conference if he was kidding with Putin when he leaned over and told the Russian leader not to interfere, Trump argued that his words did amount to raising the issue.
"I did say it," Trump said. “You’re going to have to take a look at the words.”
Trump’s remarks came less than 24 hours after he drew criticism in the U.S. for appearing to joke with Putin about Russian meddling in the election. When reporters covering a meeting between the two leaders asked if they would discuss that issue, Trump turned to Putin and wagged his finger with a smile.
"Don't meddle in the election, president," Trump said as cameras clicked and reporters shouted questions.
When an interpreter translated Trump's "request," Putin laughed.
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Trump spoke for more than an hour at the conclusion of the G-20 meeting, a press conference that took place early Saturday morning in the U.S. Among the topics:
► The president said his administration would hold off on increasing tariffs on Chinese goods, marking a softer tone amid a tense trade standoff between the two nations. Trump said talks on a broader trade deal would restart and he praised Chinese President Xi Jinping.
►Trump reintroduced his threat to step up deportations within the U.S., saying that effort would begin sometime after July 4. The president had suggested such action was possible earlier this month but then backed down, saying he hoped Democrats and Republicans could come to an agreement on immigration.
►Asked whether his administration is considering delaying the 2020 census after the Supreme Court blocked the administration's ability to question respondents' citizenship status, Trump said the administration was looking into it. "How horrible and ridiculous is that?" Trump said of the ruling. "And so we are looking at that, yeah."
► Trump said he spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this week about the new U.S. Mexico-Canada trade deal. The White House considers congressional passage of the agreement a top priority. “They have to put it up for a vote,” Trump said.
► Trump responded to recent criticism from former president Jimmy Carter by calling him a "nice man" but a "terrible president."
►The president suggested Sen. Kamala Harris received too much credit for her poignant exchange on race that took place this week during the Democratic debates with former Vice President Joe Biden. Harris blamed Biden for past "hurtful" comments and his previous position on school busing as a way to address segregation. Trump said Harris' attack "was right out of a box," but said Biden "didn’t respond great."
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Reporters repeatedly pressed Trump about his relationships with authoritarian leaders and U.S. adversaries, including Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. On the last day of the G-20, Trump invited Kim to meet with him in the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea.
Trump said he gets along with both autocrats and democrats.
"Some are stronger than others, some are better than others," Trump said.
"I don't really care about offending people," Trump added. "I get along with a lot of people."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump defends his exchange with Vladimir Putin over election meddling
