Posted on 07/19/2018 7:43:54 AM PDT by yesthatjallen
President Trump on Thursday said he wants to have a second meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as he endures days of stark, bipartisan criticism over his performance at his first summit with the Russian leader Monday in Helsinki, Finland.
Trump, who at the summit appeared to put equal weight in Putin's denial of involvement in the 2016 election with the findings of his intelligence agencies that Russia did interfere in the election, pronounced the summit a huge success and said he was looking forward to meeting Putin again.
"The Summit with Russia was a great success, except with the real enemy of the people, the Fake News Media," Trump tweeted.
TRUMP TWEET: "The Summit with Russia was a great success, except with the real enemy of the people, the Fake News Media. I look forward to our second meeting so that we can start implementing some of the many things discussed, including stopping terrorism, security for Israel, nuclear proliferation, cyber attacks, trade, Ukraine, Middle East peace, North Korea and more. There are many answers, some easy and some hard, to these problems...but they can ALL be solved!"
Trump met with Putin one-on-one in Helsinki, followed by an expanded meeting with aides. They then held a joint press conference, where Trump cast doubt on the U.S. intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.
He has since walked back that statement and expressed confidence in his intelligence officials, while also suggesting Russia is no longer a threat and that others may have been involved in the meddling.
The intelligence issue was not the only controversy from the summit.
Trump also discussed allowing Russia to interview U.S. citizens as part of an investigation, a move rejected by a State Department spokeswoman on Wednesday.
He was also criticized for not standing up more to Putin during the press conference. Ahead of the summit, Trump blamed past U.S. governments and special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation on the poor U.S.-Russia relationship. He did not mention Russia's annexation of Crimea, its meddling in the U.S. and other elections or the death of a woman in Great Britain, who British authorities say likely died from poison meant for a former Russian double agent.
Trump has come under severe criticism from both sides of the aisle for his remarks alongside Putin.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) blasted it as "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory." Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Trump "must appreciate that Russia is not our ally."
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Trump's rhetoric at the summit was "thoughtless" and "weak," and he called on Republicans to act to rein in the president. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called Trump's remarks "disgraceful" and lamented that his international appearances "embarrass America."
Media analysts widely panned Trump's performance. On Fox News, normally friendlier grounds for the president, host Bret Baier called Trump's comments "surreal," while Fox Business host Neil Cavuto called them "disgusting."
But Summer re-runs are never as good as the first run shows.
And keep holding them until they shut up.
I don’t think the democrat party and the liberal media have realized that the entire last week has been one giant troll by President Trump, he loves to wait until they tell him what he “MUST NEVER” do then fly the bird right in their face and do it anyway.
I wish Trump ran the company where I work.
Good to see Trump doubling down.
“Jaw-jaw is better than war-war.” Often attributed to Winston Churchill, who actually said, “Meeting jaw to jaw is better than war.”
And the sturdy old British statesman has stood jaw to jaw with the symbol of all the worst of Russia, Josef Stalin.
He should have added “We will be meeting in private for 3 hours.”
That would result in walls caked with brains and blood.
The “double down” administration.
Sung to the “Rawhide” tune: Trollin, trollin, trollin keep them reporters rollin Rawhide.
5.56mm
Do it next month, and invite him to come here.
Doubling down is the quickest way to big wins.
I like it too, because the media and Congress both need to understand who makes the President’s decisions. The President makes the President’s decisions.
Increased sales of medias tin foil hats to ensue.
In Your Face, Beltway Schmucks!
Cool, sounds good.
He should schedule a meeting with Putin every Tuesday at 2 pm.
I am not kidding.
“He should schedule a meeting with Putin every Tuesday at 2 pm.
I am not kidding.”
I like your idea. This way Trump could tell the media -
See you next Tuesday
If Germany can make deals with Russia. Trump will make great deals with Russia. Go away Paul!
Trump has no fear. Lesser politicians would have moved on from this week’s dust-up. Instead, Trump forges ahead.
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