US election

Trump sceptical of Russia meddling

Donald Trump has told a Kremlin-funded TV network "it's probably unlikely" that Russia is trying to influence the US election, reports BBC.
The Republican presidential nominee suggested on RT that Democrats were behind claims Russian intelligence agencies had hacked their computers.
Mr Trump has faced a backlash since praising Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Wednesday night forum.
His Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, accused him of being unpatriotic.
Mr Trump was interviewed on Thursday night by Larry King, a former CNN host who now presents a show on RT America, a Russian-funded TV network.
When King asked him about reports that Russia is trying to disrupt the US election, Mr Trump was sceptical. "I think it's probably unlikely," he said. "I think maybe the Democrats are putting that out.
"I hope that 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." A Trump spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, suggested Mr Trump did not realise King's show was part of a Russian-backed network. "Mr Trump recorded a short interview with Larry King for his podcast as a favour to Mr King," she said.
"What Larry King does with the interview content is up to him. We have nothing to do with it."
Back in the late 1980s and 1990s, Larry King was a titan of US political media. A guest spot on his television call-in show provided current and aspiring candidates a way to reach a national audience in a low-stress, friendly environment.
Donald Trump, back when he was just a larger-then-life real-estate developer and New York socialite, was a regular on King's programme. It's not entirely surprising then that the Republican nominee accepted an interview request from his long-time friend.
That, however, is when Mr Trump's staff should have done a bit of research, found out the interview would be broadcast on RT and told their candidate to come up with a scheduling conflict and politely pull out.Given the heat Mr Trump has taken recently for showering praise on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian-owned RT is the last outlet he should be on.

 

US election

Trump sceptical of Russia meddling

Donald Trump has told a Kremlin-funded TV network its probably unlikely that Russia is trying to influence the US election, reports BBC. The Republican presidential nominee suggested on RT that Democrats were behind claims Russian intelligence agencies had hacked their computers. Mr Trump has faced a backlash since praising Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Wednesday night forum. His Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, accused him of being unpatriotic. Mr Trump was interviewed on Thursday night by Larry King, a former CNN host who now presents a show on RT America, a Russian-funded TV network. When King asked him about reports that Russia is trying to disrupt the US election, Mr Trump was sceptical. I think its probably unlikely, he said. I think maybe the Democrats are putting that out. I hope that if they are doing something, I hope that somebodys going to be able to find out, so they can end it, because that would not be appropriate at all. A Trump spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, suggested Mr Trump did not realise Kings show was part of a Russian-backed network. Mr Trump recorded a short interview with Larry King for his podcast as a favour to Mr King, she said. What Larry King does with the interview content is up to him. We have nothing to do with it. Back in the late 1980s and 1990s, Larry King was a titan of US political media. A guest spot on his television call-in show provided current and aspiring candidates a way to reach a national audience in a low-stress, friendly environment. Donald Trump, back when he was just a larger-then-life real-estate developer and New York socialite, was a regular on Kings programme. Its not entirely surprising then that the Republican nominee accepted an interview request from his long-time friend. That, however, is when Mr Trumps staff should have done a bit of research, found out the interview would be broadcast on RT and told their candidate to come up with a scheduling conflict and politely pull out.Given the heat Mr Trump has taken recently for showering praise on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian-owned RT is the last outlet he should be on.