Putin must be laughing all the way to the liquor cabinet for a big glass of vodka.
Our fake president is a traitor and should be charged as one. How dare he trash our country wherever he went overseas. He truly did not understand the oath he took when he unfortunately became president. One can only wonder what they talked about behind closed doors with only the interpreters. This was a very tragic day for our once great country.
6
More and more, Trump's takeover of America resembles Hitler's rise to power in Germany, this time by replicating Neville Chamberlain in his assurance that there was to be "peace for our time" via the Munich Agreement. The only difference I can see is that BOTH Trump and Putin are criminals who should be hauled before a world court for their crimes. Chamberlain was just gullible.
7
In 1968 a republican could reliably be counted on to tell a liberal "if you like Russia so much, why don't you move there?!?"
In 2018 the tables have turned!
8
Trump is a liar and traitor.
8
National disgrace? Try 'international disgrace".
The entire Western world is reeling in disgust and dumbfounded disbelief.
Americans generally have to learn to see past themselves. As Republicans generally have to learn to see past their party.
5
Not at all surprised by Trump's behavior at Helsinki. Good to see it so public and blatant. After all, we all watched the Trump-Kim Singapore Holiday Special last month. Good to see Paul Ryan freaking out.
I'm perfectly happy to see Trump escorted out the door making history on a psycho Amendment 25. Stay tuned for Season 3.
4
This gives "none dare call it treason" a whole new meaning.
3
Why the head scratching? Putin owns Trump, literally. Trump owes Russian oligarchs hundreds of millions and launders dirty Russian money. Trump’s a Russian agent, a treasonous traitor besides being a criminal. The Congressional Republicans that enable him are probably on the take as well via NRA supplied Russian money. It’s always about the money.
8
America, this man is an embarrassment to your great country, and an embarrassment to the office of the Presidency. A smear on a fine history.
7
Head scratching? The only head scratching is about why our press and our politicians refuse to call out treason what it is when they see it.
12
Trump works for Putin. Wake up America. Betrayal continues.
9
Putin probably gave Trump. B plus for his performance to dismantle US democracy and demand that Trump try harder if he wants his A. So Trump goes on world television and trashes the US and praises Putin. Too bad his base will continue to support him despite the treason. So they must all be traitors. So sad
2
The New York Times needs to stop using terms like election "meddling" and "head-scratching," as this minimizes the dangers being posed to our democracy- and their obvious nature, as well as the need for our serious and determined responses.
"Head-scratching" about "meddling" is what happens when you can't figure out why your mechanic's mother-in-law has her head under the hood of your car.
Language is perception is reality! The USA is under attack from without and within!
8
This is not "head scratching." It's the end game.
5
Ras-Putin and the pied piper.
Hope we’re not all lemmings following the latter into the sea.
1
So GOP Congress, whose side on you on?
The entire U.S. Intelligence community or Vladimir Putin?
The whole world is waiting for your answer.
6
Sad to see but after Trumps trip to Europe, I wonder if Trump himself or Putin is the worst enemy of America.
2
Am I the only one that finds this article amusing? Freedom of the press?
1
For all anyone knows Trump may have quietly slipped a copy of the New York Times’ Oped’s into Putin’s pocket, No further condemnation would be required from him then, that’s for sure. There’s several summit’s worth everyday.
1
Vladimir Lenin is supposed to have coined the phrase "useful fool" to describe a person who could be gulled by Bolshevik propaganda and lies.
The kindest thing I can say about Donald Trump's recent words and actions in Helsinki, the U.K., and Brussels is that he has been Vladimir Putin's Useful Fool.
3
What happened today shouldn't be sanitized with the phrase "head scratching."
5
"Head-scratching"? No, outrage! Do not trivialize what happened in that press conference, NYT. It was a punch in the gut and a slap in the face of every American who loves this country and expects their president to defend it, in word and deed.
8
Would the NYT please do an analysis of how many tax dollars we’re spending promoting Trump’s golf courses and Putin’s interests? I’m completely disgusted. I’d like to know how much we’ve spent on his corruption and treason.
3
So - Please tell me. What would be the response by Republicans if a Democrat did this?... The hypocrisy is maddening.
3
"I don’t see any reason why it would be.”
Did you bother to look?
1
But... but... but... what about her emails?!
That would be almost funny if the subject wasn't treason. But It is.
2
And what will I tell my 11 year old daughter who asks “Isn’t the president of the United States supposed to have children in mind when he thinks about the future?”
So I ask a rhetorical question, thinking a burden will be lifted: “What do you think?”
“I think the children of Russia are equal to the children of America when they start out.”
“And?”
“I think children should not have to wait for presidents to act smart,” she exclaims. “I don’t think Trump and Putin deserve to be so strong.”
“Time for bed,” I say.
“Time for change first.”
1
Am I the only one concerned that Putin et al have civil war as their goal?
Let’s stick together, Americans, ‘cause I want a peaceful and free future.
2
After a ninety minute meeting with Putin, Trump now needs to sit for a ninety minute meeting with Mueller.
3
He is a traitor pure and simple!
4
Our so called president has actually said, and I quote:
“What he did is an incredible offer,” Mr. Trump said. “He offered to have the people working on the case come and work with their investigators with respect to the 12 people. I think that’s an incredible offer."
Oh boy, oh boy! :))))
3
The only good coming from this egregious display of surrender to a foreign enemy by a US president is, "Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't know". They both made it clear, that they are united in their efforts to undermine our national security.
Now citizens need to grill every member of Congress, re where they stand in regards to today's events, so that those 'devils' become equally known. Confronted. And voted out.
5
From here it looks like the Republicans do not care about their country.
3
For all her faults, Mrs. Clinton would never have abased herself at the feet of a foreign power the way Donald Trump did today. Never.
4
Another thought that concerns me: we are putting a lot of faith in the November elections. Why are we waiting? Why are there no protests of this traitorous president? So many are alarmed that our country is being destroyed from the top, yet no one seems to be doing anything but talking about it. The separation of immigrant children (rightly) earns our ire, but not acts of treason from the president? Are we so civilized that we (apparently a majority of the population, perhaps a substantial majority) are willing to simply watch and acquiesce to the destruction of our country?
3
This European trip just kept getting worse and worse. Until "the easy part." Then it blew up completely. When Putin (speaking first) immediately referred to "negotiations" in an un-witnessed meeting, I knew we were in deep trouble. By now it is pretty much a given that Trump is irrational, egotistical and abysmally uninformed. But where in the name of American patriotism is the Republican Party? I am starting to get really nervous about this. Really nervous.
3
Well, our elected representatives from the GOP after actively blocking initiatives of former President Obama for eight years, held up their noses in exchange for a 2017 tax rollback on the wealthiest, and now are out to lunch while POTUS plays the fiddle with bff Vlad... future generations will pay for this
4
Wow, the amount of angry energy that went into these comments today makes me feel really out of shape just reading. Everybodiy gets the night off from the gym today as far as I’m concerned.
I would advise Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to brush up on their Russian....
1
If this were fiction, or a play, it would end with Trump taking both himself and Putin down. If Putin really is coercing Trump, then it's likely that he will regret it. Trump is not disciplined enough to be discreet or respectable. Trumps lack of sense (or desperation) may make him not care and not plan for the future, but Putin is different.
Oh please let the truth come out and let justice restore us to a semblance of sanity - or even the normal level of crazy = in our government.
Trump'a actions are disgraceful, and leads one to believe that the Russians have compromising materials (kompromat) on him. It's time the Congress booted him out, but of course, the Republicans are not going to do that.
1
They’ve probably made a secret alliance. Trump supports Putin’s takeover of Europe and Putin supports Trump’s takeover of America. Paranoid and delusional? I hope so.!
I cannot believe your headline. This is not an intellectual game. The man sworn to uphold the Constitution just derided the combined expertise of all US intelligence agencies, and took the side of a murderous dictator, the former head of the KGB, instead.
This is not a game. This is not a drill.
3
hold on a minute. there is precedent for this. remember when roosevelt stood with Hirohito after pearl harbor? (checking.) never mind...that didn't happen.
Head scratching? Is it so hard to understand that the president of the United States is a Russian plant?
That makes perfect sense of his attacks on America's allies and US intelligence agencies, the Mueller investigation (which could prove his treason), and strong endorsement of Putin against all the evidence.
1
Where are you, Mitch McConnell? Still deaf to that creaking sound the rest of us are beginning to hear? It's the arc of history slowly bending toward justice.
1
Let's just say it:
Trump can NEVER ill-legitimize Mr. Putin’s actions. It would ill-legitimize his presidency. The election rig backroom door must remain shut.
Putin's cyber warfare successfully undermined our freely willed democratic process. His http//blitzkrieg swayed just those very few thousand votes--that turned the blue rust-belt to red.
The vast majority of Trump's energy is spent on legitmacy attack and defense. He knows that his is an ill-gotten presidency. He encouraged collusion between his campaign staff and Russian operatives. His over-inflated ego was at stake--his oval office license to lie.
Why did Mr. Trump go fraud? Deeply rooted racism and elitism. Obama outrage.
Trump tried to delegitimize Mr. Obama’s presidency--blatant lies and rampant Birtherism. Trump narcissism fumed over a black president--if he can, so can I. This bigotry drove him to 'by any means' victory.
So the bigot bullies--he cannot be exposed nor survive democratic law. He’s treason incarnate.
The Media may uncover treason. Out of dread fear then, he brands all news--but FOX & Breitbart news--as 'fake news'. He vindicates himself of the Mueller inquiry constantly. His electoral facade hides his bloodless coup.
His illegitimacy fuels his vicious, demeaning, uncivilized tweets. It Obama/Clinton deflects. It drives dictator distractions. It demands sycophantic fealty. He disguises his deeds with denigration and destruction. It destroys our best intentions and organizations.
2
"..... Mr. Trump appeared to stop just short of saying he believed the Russian leader more than he did his own intelligence aides."
I didn't hear him stopping short at all. Why does the NYT constantly use ambiguous and watered-down language to describe the patently obvious? The BBC used this headline: "Trump sides with Russia against the FBI." That more accurately describes what happened.
4
16 July 2018--A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY!!
2
With God’s blessing, I have another 100 years ahead of me. Without your (grown-ups) help, my generation may be the first in USA to actually lose more freedoms than we can gain — freedoms generations of our forbearers sacrificed and fought and worked and died and persevered to attain for us and for all.
My parents and grandparents and great great grandparents and you kind reader, you all promised me a chance at the American dream. Please, Congress and all you other big people who promised before God that you would protect and defend the US Constitution, please don’t turn my generation’s American dream into our very first nightmare.
1
The President of the United States stood on foreign soil standing next to the President of Russia and denounced the US Intelligence Community and the Department of Justice. Call it what you will, but this is NOT “conducting foreign policy” as some Republicans have been excusing President Trump's words. This is, in my view, denouncing our constitutional democracy and everything our country stands for. President Trump behaved with treachery against the United States, conspiring with a foreign adversary right in front of our eyes.
3
Trump's remarks today are appalling. His fans, however, won't care.
Most of them are too exhausted from trying to dig out of the crater of inadequate wages, job insecurity, impossible housing, health care and college costs, ineffectual immigration policies, diminished safety net programs, unusable roads, bridges and public transportation, the unsurprising lure of opioids, and many other extraordinarily difficult aspects of so many ordinary people's current daily lives in the wealthiest country in the world.
Many Trump backers hope desperately that because Trump is "different," he will work to correct their steadily worsening quality of life. His base fails to perceive that Trump's policies and appointees simply support and further the disrepair, degradation and impoverishment manifest in our current social and physical environment.
To reach the majority of Trump's base, the Dems must get busy on offering a candidate and a platform that aren't yesterday's mashed potatoes, the human incarnation of which was Hillary Clinton, for whom I voted despite her questionable integrity and striking inability to convey clear goals, let alone vision, for our country.
An American president and administration characterized by intelligence, integrity, political and diplomatic skills, grit and vision would outclass Putin and leave him in the dust.
America needs you, Bernie Sanders.
1
What is it going to take for Congress to realize that Trump is somehow indebted to Putin? It's beyond obvious now. Trump's actions and words matches up quite nicely with Russia's general agenda. This cannot be ignored. Just a short list:
Trade wars with the EU & China. Disrupting NATO. Completely abandoning Syria and the fight against ISIS (remember how important that was just a few months ago?). Refusing to enforce sanctions against Russia. Calling for Russia to be re-admitted into the G7. Allowing Russian media, but not the US media, into the White House. Making only one change the RNC Agenda; one that baffled everyone else in the room and could only be beneficial to Russia. Giving the Russians classified intelligence detrimental to Israel. Praising Putin for his re-election, after being specifically advised not to do so, in writing. Appointing Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State (let's not forget the $500B Russian oil deal with Exxon that the US blocked a few years ago - Rex was leading that deal). Cancelling military drills with South Korea, which Russia has objected to for a long time). And now meeting with Putin, alone, again, with no real agenda and nobody taking notes.
Notice that I haven't even brought up anything related to election interference, money laundering, or illegal financing. That would take up way more space than allowed.
This man must be stopped, now.
4
While Mitch McConnell and his cronies salivate over tax cuts and an open seat on the Supreme Court, Trump is selling the US to the highest bidder: Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Just what we need - a compromised president and, most likely, a few compromised members of Congress on the Republican side of the aisle.
2
Why do you talk about "head-scratching"? The only people who are scratching their heads are those who still cannot grasp the reality that is right in front of their faces. He works for Putin, whether voluntarily, or under duress, or both. The Republicans may be slightly unhappy about that, and some are going through the motions of slight unhappiness, but they are not *very* unhappy, if they are unhappy at all - certainly not unhappy enough to upset the apple cart when they are getting what they want. How we got here is a very complicated story that goes back all the way to white anger at the Warren Court, Nixon's Southern Strategy, and much else. The *history* is complicated. But the proximal explanation of the facts is simple. Once again: he works for Putin, and the Republicans are not unhappy about that.
3
Russia has formally knocked at the doors of the western world and hopefully there is pragmatic sense in us to welcome and be friendly with Russians again.
At least Putin spared Trump the embarassment of being led out to the meeting of the press at the end of the pink diamond-studded leash that he made Trump wear during the secret meeting. The Russian president is not entirely without compassion.
I commonly hear two contradictory themes: 1) vote for Democrats in November to rein in Trump, and 2) don't make the election about Trump. Why wouldn't we make the election about Trump? Why wouldn't Democrats want to make the case that Trump is clearly a traitor and needs to be removed? To not do this is to ignore the orange elephant in the room. Sure, local candidates can also speak to local issues or to broader societal concerns, but I feel like people need to understand that they're not just voting to fix the potholes in their district, they're voting to preserve the United States of America.
1
It is time to call for impeachment of this president. Call for it, even if the Republicans refuse to act, because it is the right thing to do when the country is betrayed and endangered as it is now.
4
"Republican leaders were largely silent after Mr. Trump’s news"....Republican leaders? There are no Republican leaders. Just a bunch of political boot licking sycophants, trying to keep their heads down waiting for the next Supreme Court appointment.
13
Maybe his base will wake up and realize it is not the "Dems" coming for their guns, it is Putin.
26
I'm puzzled by this: Putin was the first one to use the word "dossier". I think he said it deliberately.
14
Trigger words. Use the right buzzwords to generate the appearance of commonality, empathy etc. He mentions Democrats, George Soros, deep state, FBI investigation - all the usual talking points (or ranting points) of those of a certain political persuasion which includes Trump, Farage, Alt-Right etc etc. If you were playing a game of Trumpist Bingo all those words would be on there, and all might make a certain POTUS inclined to sympathise with a certain Vozhd.
I'll be really surprised if your president actually returns to American soil after what he just did.
He just sided with a foreign administration over his own country. His own House Intelligence Committee. His own Senate Intelligence Committee. His own Department of Justice. His own Federal Bureau of Investigations. His own Central Intelligence Agency. His own Department of Homeland Security. His own National Security Agency. Donald Trump has just abandoned all of them.
I would be surprised if he didn't go to Moscow and St.Petersburg to take his reward for a job well done. After all, what more could he accomplish than he already has?
35
You fail to recognize that the Republican Congress could stop Trump if they wanted to.
They don't want to.
McConnell, Ryan, and all of the Republican leaders are perfectly comfortable with a fascist dictatorship replacing American democracy.
2
Whether or not Trump surprises a Canuck isn't terrible relevant or informative. Or meaningful.
Head scratching? What, like you find Trump's actions puzzling and inexplicable?
I would have thought the head scratching phase could be safely dispensed with by now.
19
Yep. Let's move on to the stage where we recognize Vidkun Quisling, and tell Trumpists that they hate America.
It is clear that NY Times readers are more than appalled by this so called president. They have voiced their displeasure, disbelief, outrage, incredulity, even sadness about what he is doing to America for months. And yet there are no protests in the streets. The elected GOP representatives stay silent. And the outrageous behaviour of Donald continues to get worse and worse. Today's spectacle is simply outrageous but probably not the pinnacle of what he is capable of. If any other president in history did one tenth of what this person has done they would be impeached. Pretty soon you are going to have to start holding your elected representatives, especially Republicans, to account or it's going to be too late. It may already be too late. I wish you luck, for the sake of your country and mine.
31
There were, and are, plenty of street protests. We're waking up.
And my advice to you, sir--assuming you're not a bot--is that you tend to your own knitting, by which I mean the latest abomination of a Ford brother.
@Paul F
Doesn't Canada put citizens in jail for the misuse of pronouns? Right--"for the sake your country and mine"--check the mirror, dude.
Ever see people SQUIRM? I mean REALLY--squirm?
I did some squirming many years ago. Giving a graduate school presentation. My preparation was. . .INADEQUATE.
And I got NAILED. By my professor.
It was the longest hour or my life.
I think our President did some MAJOR squirming not long ago. He has never thought it necessary to master FACTS. Let alone TRUTH. He talks. He sneers. He mocks. He waves his arms about. His face goes red.
And his fans LOVE it. They eat it up. They scream their approval.
But Mr. Trump is not addressing fans right now.
He's addressing the world. In particular, of course, his fellow citizens of the United States.
I can well believe he did some SQUIRMING. Big time.
He left it to his Russian counterpart to sit there "as if clamped to the floor." Think about it, guys. When a skilled fisherman is bringing in a fish. . .
. . .the guy himself (by and large) doesn't move about.
Now the FISH on the other hand. It moves about. Thrashing and ducking and bobbing and twisting. . . ..
. . .doesn't do any good, of course. The fish is caught.
Mr. Trump was CAUGHT. Nailed. He never had a prayer.
He sure doesn't NOW. Not a prayer. And hey! While I'm on the subject. . .
. . .time for Mr. Ryan and Mr. McConnell and various other GOP Trump minions and enablers. . . .
. .. to do some major SQUIRMING on their own.
I look forward to the spectacle. 'Cause they TOO. . . .
. ..are CAUGHT.
Big time!
41
Can we finally get Democrats to call for Impeachment now? What does it take for Democrats to finally unite and cry TREASON to the rafters?
30
What does it take? Really, truly?
It takes enough Republicans willing to abandon their lock-step ways to participate in the impeachment process. And by all that we've seen so far, that isn't going to happen.
28
The more important question is, what does it take for the Republicans who control both houses of Congress.
1
Any idea how many votes it takes for impeachment? And impeachment is just the beginning. It takes even more votes to convict someone who has been impeached. The magic wand doesn't work.
A US president that is a babbeling idiot, spouting complete nonsense. He has neither courage nor the intelligence to stand up for his nation in the face of an aggressor that seeks to sow chaos in the free world.
The US is fast becoming the laughing stock of the West. It is very clear that the PeePee tape exists. But who cares? Trump is a clownish fool in charge of a nation. If he likes Russian prostitutes to urinate on him the world has stopped caring. What the world (other than Putin) wants is for the US Congress and Senate to act to remove this incompetent man from your government. We don't care if you charge him with conspiracy- he has made it clear to anyone not dead that he is guilty. Just get rid of him. When you get a real president call us.
41
After today's attack on American democracy and allegiance with Putin, I hope there comes a time when trump can't call this country home.
36
Trump seems to think the Russian spies were twiddling their thumbs and the Democrats were framing them by releasing the most damaging of information on themselves.
If the witch hat fits, Trump needs to put it on now and wear it proudly.
10
Flood your reps offices with calls tomorrow!
24
Already did. And I will do it again.
15
OK Trumpers, do any of you have an integrity and say "Enough is enough?" I am furious at you all and what you have done to our country, not to mention our world.
31
What was enough was when President Obama whispered to the Russians he'd have more "flexibility" after the election, and then handed over Syria to them, and did nothing to stop their election interference. He was flexible alright.
What did Donald and Vladimir talk about? Well I'm not faking when I say 'Doubtless Donald wanted assurances of asylum, if and when he fails to receive a pardon.'
13
Has it come to this? That the Unites States of American is suddenly the world's laughing stock? We should all brace ourselves to a new reality.
27
Trump, the Russian puppet, thinks he's a Real Boy.
19
Brilliant Pinocchio analogy.
Trump has created a Constitutional crisi. Russian is an enemy of the US and his insisted befriending of this country constitutes treason. Trump should therefore be impeached and arrested for high treason.
19
Trump praised our enemy and faults his own country.
This is madness. But let’s face it Trump is confused and senile. He must go.
25
I haven't seen this fairly obvious argument in the media, perhaps because it is so incendiary: Trump doesn't want to do anything about Russia because he needs their help in the midterm elections to stay in office. We should not be surprised that nothing is being done about the Russian efforts to influence the election. It worked to elect him; why bench your star player (sixth man)? Let them interfere!
23
Geoffrey Fong,
It is not beyond the realm of possibilities in this head-scratching forum taking place, that in reality Putin is leading America while Trump is his master of ceremonies. They look like a congenial and content couple.
13
So true. It worked once, so why not give it another go? He knows if we have free and fair elections the GOP will be destroyed. And they’re on board, too. Why mess with a good thing? Putin accomplished in one election cycle what the traitorous Koch Bros and company (GOP, ALEC, etc) have been trying for a generation to accomplish, to bribe and corrupt and gerrymander our democracy right out from under us.
Trump basically said to Putin today, “Keep it up! It’s working!”
Autoctats loves this president. He's proved that democracy can occasionally fail, spectacularly. Time to fix this, America. The most shocking thing of all is how normalized Trump is.
12
I'm certainly scratching my head!
I expected a bad outcome for this whole trip - NATO Summit, Britain, Putin. But this was worse - far worse - than I anticipated - and got worse at each step! Trump continues to amaze and appall me at his single-handed ability to damage this country.
When will Republicans finally see this goes far beyond partisan politics - the survival of the republic is at stake.
24
"Head-scratching?" Really? As in why would he do this?
The answers are plain as day and have been for a long time. 1) Money. There's been a lot of it floating around Russia for some time. The Grifter-in-Chief has got some, wants more. 2) Legitimacy. He believes, correctly, that if he acknowledges seeking and getting Russian support he surrenders his legitimate claim to the office.
13
yup.
On can only hope that Trump, the evil traitorous buffoon that he is, will soon be referred to in the past tense. Can't happen soon enough for me!
16
"The emperor wears no clothes"
Slowly the US people come to understand who this person is that was voted to be POTUS.
Not, that there would not have been ample evidence at hand, like pulling out the of JCPOA, TTP and the Climate Accord, caging minors, criminalizing immigrants, insulting Mexicans, treating Canada and EU as security risks, calling NATO obsolete etc etc
But siding with Putin against US intel services was indeed taking it to the limit...
Where is the Congress, where is the Senate? Where are those institutional controls that have failed so pathetically in the course of the 1 1/2 years? Anyone at home? Anyone prepared to take their constitutional roles serious now and honour their oath when they took office?
20
Most Americans knew, and know, Trump is a train wreck. There is the question of the 63 million who voted for him, however.
We are the marginalized majority. Bit not for long. Winter—November—is coming for Trump. He’ll be quacking soon.
1
Oh, go deal with Victor Orban.
Who will protect US from rabid GOP partisans and Putin/Trump? Meek, moral, mild diverse Democrats will defend US. Understand that Putin comes from a Leninist, Stalinist, KGB tradition of Terror, mass killings for the sake of killing, to eradicate the opposition. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth--Russian style mass graves.
6
He is a traitor. Swaring an oath to the US Constitution meant nothing to him.
22
The emperor has no clothes! His wife does, but they are ugly.
He is heading "home" -- not to New York City, b/c he is not welcome here.
Is our so-called President now the Man Without a Country? Looks like.
15
I wouldn't be surprised if Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell are deeply compromised too.
24
I have struggled trying to understand Trump’s motive concerning election interference — why equivocate now, especially after the indictments? One simple theory struck me: maybe he isn’t averse to Russian interference in the upcoming midterms. We know which side the Russians will be attacking.
23
What we're witnessing is breathtaking. We're just seen public evidence that our POTUS is under the control of Putin, and Congress is putting a stop to it. This is what a Constitutional crisis looks like.
We are being governed by Putin's puppet and no one is doing anything about it. Trump is doing Putin's bidding - he is not fulfilling his oath to uphold the Constitution and is actively denigrating our values, our ideals, our hopes and our allies in every way possible.
27
Sorry for the typo. Congress is not putting a stop to this man's actions. Apparently they are all fine with it.
16
...a day that will live in infamy.
37
A dark day for America and the world today,
25
Nah only for America Dan, no ones shocked by any of this in the rest of the world.
It appears to me that there is an intensive search or different methods of approach in the united states to prove that Mr.Trump's victory in the election was made possible by the Russia's interference in the US presidential election.
It is something like an elephant sprays a heap of sand over its body after having a long shower in the pond. Mrs.Hilary and Mr.Trump have been made the president hopeful by their respective parties and the process is internal. None of the supporter of Democratic and Republican parties had no doubt on the electoral machinery of the American democracy. From where the iota of doubt and the involvement of Russia in the victory of Mr.Trump has crept in?
By saying that Russia helped Mr.Trump to become president of the US,one indirectly agree that all the presidents of the US could win the election since its independence with the interference of Russia and the electoral machinery of the America is inefficient. Instead of trying to search the reason for the defeat of Mrs.Hilary Clinton, it is better to reinforce the electoral machinery of the US a fool-proof to the extent possible as science is incomplete. Since we are entering into the phase of Artificial Super Intelligence in which the brain of manlike has an edge over our cognitive skill, a paper clip manufacturing machine thinks of it own to make more numbers than required, the computer of ASI may decide the victory of a person against the human voters to make us its slave.
1
The ludicrously spray-tanned, hair-gelled « president « has exposed his inanity, his cowardice, his vapidity, for all to see. There is no walking his performance back, or excusing it. The republican party must face up to his treachery- denounce it and him, for real- or they reveal the extent of their own venality and pusillanimity to the world. Only kidding, folks- we know that the rot is spread throughout the republican party. Craven toads like Rand Paul are already excusing trump’s behavior. The vote remains our only recourse...or so I’d like to hope.
19
What if the voting machines are compromised? I don't trust that the vote tallies weren't affected by hacking in the last election. That's my opinion. Some election commissions were using Kaspersky software - a Russian software. Why? And if so, has that changed?
Also, according to MSNBC, "On pages 25 and 26, the indictment alleges that the Russian conspirators “hacked the website of a state board of elections and stole information related to approximately 500,000 voters, including names, addresses, partial social security numbers, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers.” It went on to say they also “hacked into the computers of a U.S. vendor that supplied software used to verify voter registration information for the 2016 U.S. elections.”
6
When Donald Trump tries to torpedo NATO, sensible plans for Brexit, insults all our allies, and believes Putin over our intelligence agencies, what more do you need to confirm that the Russians own him in some way. It seems unlikely that pictures of him cavorting with women would worry him, since his base doesn't care about that. So it seems likely that the Russians own him financially. The word was that no American banks would loan to him after his multiple bankruptcies. So where did he get the money to continue his many enterprises, even if he owns few of the properties with his name on them?
This very likely explains his stonewalling in regard to his tax returns, because they would reveal all. So the question is, will the Republicans sell out this country to keep a terrible compact with this president that will further benefit the 1% by sharply reducing all social programs?
15
Trump did warn the Nation that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and get away with it. He just took a treacherous shot at The Nation, and most probably he will prove his point.
Enough with the head-scratching, the Country has plenty of time to do this when he is spending some time in exile. The Russian President is counting on public rage to inflame our mind and spirit.
Let us take retribution with cool restraint and act now.
21
At least we know the Magnitsky Act is the bargaining chip.
6
To be fair, there are real questions to be asked about the back-to-back Russia-focused indictments bracketing the President's summit with Putin. I know many people want to see Trump brought down, but it shouldn't be done via overt political interference by the Justice Department. That would be too destructive a precedent to set and too high an institutional integrity price to pay for a political expedient--no matter how desirous.
1
Overt political interference? Trump already did that when he fired Comey.
5
"too high an institutional integrity price to pay..." when your integrity's been impugned in front of the world. nope. condition setting. indictments will soon follow. checkmate.
4
:-) Yes, I'm afraid so--and I'm a foreigner to boot!
I think the timing of the indictments--just before and during the President's summit with the Russian president--looks suspiciously like political interference rather than the normal course of justice being served.
I'm just wondering if Americans are ok with their Justice Department playing politics with indictments against a president--just because many don't like the particular president. If the officials get away with it once, they might do it to a future president the lynch mob isn't so keen to see toppled.
For Jim Muncy: Are you really ready to sacrifice personal freedom to Rich people like Trump Putin and Limbaugh or would you like a future and a freedom you make?
Be real! I have been to Russian. Forget it.
Trump is a traitor. He doesn’t care for you. Never has. Your vote counts for now but serfdom is his plans for your future once he cancels voting and the free press. Is that what you want?.
13
Vlad, now that you know that it's been re-gifted, don't forget to have it personalized before the Trumps leave town. I think this will work nicely:
"My dad went to Helsinki to sell out our country, and all I got was this stupid soccer ball"
14
What a joke these former and present American congressmen are!
Any time the world is inching closer to world peace these parasites come out in full force with their unbelievably stupid tweets...
A big shocker...! The United States is to blame with their poor relationship with Russia... That sounds spot on to me... And that is a treasonous remark is it...? Just like the corrupt American government to call the truth treasonous..... That sounds a lot like the same approach the Zionist Israel uses any time anyone questions their aggressive actions against peace...
I'm by no means ready to say Trump is for the American people... He may just be another president whom is at the mercy of the globalist regime to cause chaos and wars planet wide... But to make peace rather than war is exactly what WE "The People" want...! All of these brave politicians are always beating the war drum... Where are you when it's time to fight...?
Spineless cowards who disappear when it's time for things to get real...
And the first to call out any other country who doesn't dance to the beat of their drum... Russia has done nothing wrong...! Ukraine wants to be a part of Russia... ! Assad was voted for by the people...
And if the USA was surrounded by Russian troops what would be happening as we speak...? Russia has shown the world exactly what the definition of tolerance is... NATO continues to poke the bear... And the bear just laughs.....
2
You want to know what world peace looks like? It is when the Russians no longer perform hit jobs with poison on people they don't like. Or push them off tall buildings, or shoot them in the streets or... it just goes on and on the ways the Russians get rid of people they don't approve of.
12
For Jim Muncy: We get it alright we just don’t want to be a Russian property. Think about it. Do you? That is what this is about —actually. Russia taking over our county. Is that what you really want? Even Russians despise Trump. No thanks! Move toRussia!
5
Definition of treachery
Popularity: Top 30% of words |Updated on: 12 Jul 2018
plural treacheries
1 : violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence : treason
2 : an act of perfidy or treason
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treachery
5
If this isn't treason, then what is? If the Republican leadership continue to keep him in power, then they are as guilty of it as he so obviously is. And what of those who continue to adore them both? Well, you can still find lots of people who thought Hitler and Stalin were great leaders rather than mass murderers. Nothing will change what passes for those peoples' minds. So, get on with it, turf the bum out.
9
After today’s treason Trump should cool
His rallies for his safety sake.
6
Mr. Trump knows exactly what he is doing. You cannot be ill-informed or ignorant to be a successful con-artist. There is an old saying, " When a dog being cornered in a dead ally, he will turn around and bite you." When Mr. Mueller investigation comes closer, Mr.Trump is in his survival mode to lash out to save his empire and Trump's name. Being a ultimate narcissist, he does not care about the consequences of his action affecting the Presidency or the country. With the performance of Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin at the conference in Helsinki, I just hope his base and enablers see through his act and rebuke him. If GOP does not impeach Mr. Trump, the responsible citizens will vote in November and just hope it is not too late.
16
My entire family hopes that this man and his family and everybody who supports them be accountable of such repulsive self-defense of him to cover not only himself but, his family and all his minions and we hope that the "chosen" judge to be a member of the Supreme Court would immediately remove himself as a candidate. The extreme these people have reached are absolutely unacceptable. We, the citizens of this country, don't want to have what seems to be a mole as the head of our democratic institutions.
16
Well said, Maita Moto! That's exactly what Trump looks like on this side of the country, too: A Russian mole.
7
The open question is not how long Congress will continue to put up with this stupidity, but how long the US military, generals and admirals, soldiers and sailors and airmen, and the veterans, will continue to stand for it.
19
"I do solemnly swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies ... foreign AND domestic ... and to bear true faith and allegiance to same ... ."
5
Bottom line, Trump does not deserve to serve as president of this beloved country! US Congress, it's impeachment time!
15
With the Supreme Court nomination vote, each Republican senator has the opportunity to impact Benedict Donald's behavior. They only choose to be powerless.
5
Putin admits that he wanted Trump to win in 2016.
And smiles at the revelations that he and his military intelligence
spies attacked the election in favor of Trump.
Why?
Mob bosses want their money and favors.
So what is Trump giving Putin?
Is Trump giving a diminished America to Putin?
8
"So what is Trump giving Putin?
A number of things, including what used to be called "lebensraum."
3
Now, at last, it seem the time has arrived where we might see ourselves through Yeats's ominous lines in "The Second Coming":
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
9
Funny you quote the Second Coming by Yeats.
Judge Robert Bork's book the "Slouching Towards Gomorrah" uses the same poem to describe U.S. liberals attempts to destroy and undermine American Culture. Worth reading.
Yes, I think at this point it applies 'universally' so to speak. Certainly we might pause at calling liberals [let's say the leaders of the Democratic Party for short] 'the best'; but their lack of conviction -- or at least their ability to demonstrate it -- is striking to behold. As for the worst, we don't need to name the names but they are legion, headed by a figure that calls up the end of Yeats' poem:
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
... except that it does a disservice to the lion, I'd allow that the menacing figure of Yeats's imagination, slouching us toward nightmare, more than resembles the blank visage and pitiless stare of Donald Trump.
2
Worth reading? Or not.
Unprecedented. IS this really happening? Does he know about the new indictment of the woman arrested Sunday?
5
What is more important than the American election being hacked in 2016
by Russia and Putin's military intelligence secret service?
What is more important for the Republicans in Congress than fighting
for America's democracy, and the values of America.
Are the Republicans the puppets of Putin?
Stand up and fight for America.
10
"Republican leaders were largely silent after Mr. Trump’s news Mr. Putin, but a scattering of Republicans were aghast."
When will the rest of our Republican leaders say "Enough is enough!"?
When Trump mocks a reporter with a disability?
When Trump promotes violence at a campaign rally?
When there is evidence of sexual harassment and misogyny towards women?
When Trump supports Neo-Nazis?
When there is evidence of Russian tampering with our elections?
When Trump meets one-on-one, ill-prepared, with a foreign dictator who repeatedly attempts to threaten our democracy?
Republican or not, this silence is deafening for a country that is in great need of healing.
6
All one needs to do is listen to Donald Trump speak to know he has nothing to say of any substance. His vapid statements indicate the lack of clear thinking and constitute no more than pathetic attempts to ingratiate and gloss over the real issues. He claims our relationship with Russia was the worst until his glory saved it just a few hours ago, which is yet another example of Donald's pattern to claim there is a crisis from which he can save us. He is the crises. What an embarrassment. And our senators and representatives do nothing. It's time to impeach .
14
Here in Europe I have read about surveys recently held in Italy and in the UK, which show how Putin is considered the "world's strongest leader" and is admired by many. At the same time, very few are supportive of Trump and most Europeans consider him pathetic and ridiculous.
What scares me the most is that while people are being duped by the attraction for autocratic "strongmen", there is a complete moral vacuum on the other side. In this critical historical moment with the resurgence of fascism, we desperately NEED America to be the beacon of liberty, freedom, and of all the high minded ideals that have made the "West" the most prosperous civilization in the history of the planet. President Trump this week has demonstrated that he is totally unsuited for this historical role. A small-minded, selfish, arrogant grifter cannot be the leader of the Free World. We want America back!
16
This is an appeal to those Independents that still have faith in our institutions, media and laws. You need to wrest control of our country back from partisan rule. A minority of people in this country (the rich and the political right) have become our voice, while the majority of people in this country (the moderates and the middle class) have no say. Most people are unaware that Republicans are NOT a majority. According to Gallup (10/17) only 24% of Americans identify themselves as Republicans, so even if ALL Republicans were to support Trump, that is less than 1 in 4 voters! (31% of Americans self-identify as Democrats; 42% as Independents). Once elected, a president's "base" should be his country, not just the people who voted for him. Today's performance in Helsinki shows clearly that Trump doesn't affiliate himself with a country. His only allegiance is to himself and to his supporters. Independents must come to our rescue in November and cast a vote for our country, while we still have one.
5
I'm going to be charitable and consider that Trump is using "incredible" in a literal meaning - as in "not able to be believed".
It is "incredible" that Trump would consider Putin's denial as being equal in value and weight to the assessments of six US intelligence agencies, and the proofs they have offered.
It is "incredible" that Trump backs up Putin on invading neighboring countries, while selling out our NATO allies.
It is "incredible" that Trump is our president and has not been charged with sedition and treason.
9
where was jon huntsman, the U.S. ambassador to russia?
why wasn't he there and why hasn't anyone interviewed him about all these issues with russia in over a year?
5
I know it would be a monumental effort, but I wish the NYTimes and other "MSM" would start actively targeting Republican Senators and Congressmen: WHY are they letting Trump do this? Their silence has to be considered tacit support of what Trump has been doing. How are they benefitting? What are their agendas, collectively or personally?
18
If these words are not true of a traitor to our country I don't know what are.
There is no way this man can reasonably continue as president. I refuse to capitalize the title in relation to him out of respect for the office that prior Presidents have given it. He must be removed now. Not tomorrow or next week or next month but now.
13
You Liberals just don't get it.
This is what winning looks like.
You need the right perspective. Like when Nixon went to China, you thought it was to divert attention from Watergate. Ha! You guys never give up.
Next you'll be saying that invading Iraq was a mistake. Or that Spiro Agnew wasn't a great statesman. Or that Dick Cheney is wrong about torture, the method that always works, like in those Tom Cruise movies.
A couple of Rush Limbaugh's impeccably argued Op-Eds is what's needed here. Then, after a while, you'll see the uniqueness of Alex Jones.
I'll ask Pat Robertson, God's Lieutenant, to pray for you. For many Americans are horribly lost, confused, and a real and present danger. "O, the difference between man and man" (Goneril in "King Lear," 4.2.2). Goneril sees what I see: truth, justice, and the need for aluminum tariffs.
3
If you are the Jim Muncy that shouts crazy conspiracy themes at the Space community, please say so, in order that we need not take you seriously.
6
It has, since his GOP presidential components (cowardly?) dropped out of the running during the last campaign season, that,at every-other turn, trump (unconsciously?) been begging the American people to be relieved of his presidential burden.
Either that, or he is (diabolically) creating a massive piece of satirical performance art(iffice) meant to shock and awe, and to get a big Браво! (Bravo) from his Russian director.
Me, I just want my money back. Someone scalped the ticket.
3
An NFL player taking a knee is anti American but siding with ex KGB officer Putin against the FBI is good for America? Doublespeak?
20
Mikhail Fishman is the editor-in-chief of the Moscow Times, an English-language weekly newspaper published in Moscow, which actually has been critical of Putin, considers Trump a stupid, unstrategic politician, easy to be taken advantage of.
https://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/2/22/14697718/trump-putin-helsink...
3
Putin might want to try to get Trump to tone down the fawning and rolling over. From Putin's point of view, if Trump is too obviously in Russia's pocket, it might actually diminish the stunning success Russia has had in installing this idiot as President and destroying American spirit and resolve while simultaneously destroying trust in its democratic elections and institutions.
Congratulations, Putin! Truly, you couldn't have done much better!
10
Move over, Benedict Arnold: there's a new traitor in town.
And before the lectures start about how "treason" is a legal term and we're not at war, when I was a child my school had boxes of emergency food stores in locked cages behind Civil Defence signs in the basement, and the Air Raid signal was tested every Saturday at noon. I can accept change, but I still recognize bad guys when I see them.
8
July 16th 2018 is the day Trump readily admitted he is a traitor to the US and it's Constitution. Begin the removal process. It is obvious Trump is compromised. Congress????? Time to act! Now!
11
So, why nobody answers the question Trump asked a few times - where's the DNC server?
2
The DMV has not committed any crime. The Democrats are the victims.
5
Someone ask Traitor Trump if he loves America, the American people and our Constitution. Then ask him why he does not honor, respect We the People or uphold his oath of office.
4
So how do we start the massive protests, to induce impeachment.
Someone please advise...
8
Trump, just a lousy businessman begging for another loan at US expense.
4
Totally agree. This was not a meeting about international politics. It was about Trump doing business in Russia
2
Yes, it seems clear to me that this was about Trump trying to squash those pesky rumours about Russian interference in the election. It was all about Trump, not about America. If I was a conspiracy theorist I would say that there seemed to be a pattern. Trump does what Putin wants, trashes NATO and the EU, and in return Putin denies Russian influence on the presidential election. Trump believes this will legitimise his presidency.
Normally I would think I was being paranoid saying something like this, but after that press conference, it seems anything is possible.
A vote for republican is a vote for Putin. Its time to take back America from Russia. Make America Independent Again.
6
Trump sold the United States of America down the river. He sided with Vladimir Putin against the US intelligence community over Russian meddling in the 2016 election. He took an oath to uphold the Constitution. This is what high crimes and misdemeanors looks like. I pose my earlier query...where are we?
8
Shocking display of deference to Putin, but not surprising given his past statements about "the Russia thing". Also, today's betrayal of USA interests is in keeping with his recent flurry of overt hostility toward our allies and NATO. Looking forward to hearing more reaction from the Republican leadership, as they have had a hand in enabling this outrageous performance today in Helsinki.
4
Trump is in big trouble that won't go away unless Putin makes some sort of gesture that allows Trump to declare victory.
One thing is certain after Trump's disastrous trip to Europe. There will never be a State visit to England or anywhere else, except perhaps to Russia, where the highest honors will surely be bestowed upon him.
3
On Trump's "they did it, but we did it too" so we're all equal argument, I remember an interview
with Margaret Thatcher I heard on NPR decades ago.
There was a disarmament move going on internationally, and the interviewer asked why England had
the Bomb. If England had the Bomb, then why shouldn't everyone else have the Bomb as well,
he asked. Why shouldn't Germany have the Bomb just like England?
"Well, you know," Thatcher said with her icy coldness as if she was talking to a two year old,
"There's a considerable difference in the moral fibre of the English people and the German
people. And that's why the English should have the Bomb, and the Germans should not have it."
A rare moment of moral clarity. The US and its government are not the same as Russia and its government no matter ow you slice and dice it.
2
What you call "a remarkable news conference" can be more economically summed up: TREASON
7
Since body language will be bulk of anything substantive coming out of this meeting to talk about, may I suggest that upside down triangle Trump makes with his hands is actually the mark of the beast. There’s something we can really run with.
5
Only Nixon could go to China. The 'idea' of trying to bridge the gap through personal diplomacy is a good one. But it certainly does unravel after that in this case. Im glad that Trump and Putin are in agreement about the Israeli border vis a vie Iran, but anyone paying attention knows that Netanyahu and Putin have already made such arrangements prior to this summit. Populism as a verb may be an attractive thing in the abstract, but all populists are not created equal and even Trumps most ardent supporters are going to have to re-evaluate after this debacle. The definition of populist nowhere includes a going it alone, off the cuff, self congratulatory persona. It is not "Russian Collusion" that may lose his party the mid-terms, its these forays where Trump is set alongside life long professional politicians that know far more than he how the world politic works. He may have deftly jumped into the deep end, but the lifeguard is not on duty.
3
Only Nixon could go to China. Trump is the only one who should never go to Russia, unless he's not coming back.
10
President Trump’s passive performance today in Helsinki can be understood from the vantage of depth psychology. Trump unconsciously and compulsively tries to appease his inner dictator, and Putin of Russia, perhaps the world’s most powerful dictator, is the personification of Trump’s inner dictator. Inwardly, many people are oppressed to some degree by their superego, which operates as an authoritarian presence and holds them accountable. Trump is highly dysfunctional, and inwardly he’s much more passive than the average person. His whole life is a desperate attempt to proclaim his importance and value, in order to counter allegations from his superego that he’s a phony and a fraud. Trump’s extreme psychological dysfunction enables his superego to be dictatorial. As a result, his thinking is bound to be muddled. He reacts with rage against people who see him as phony, while inwardly he’s terrified of his superego and desperately tries to counter its claims of his unworthiness. Instinctively, he gives away his power to authoritarian men, at the same time that, as a denial of his inner passivity, he wants to be an authoritarian himself. He feels entitled to claim that power in the company of regular people who he perceives to be weak and of lesser value, among them the leaders of democracies. Trump is both a puppet of Putin and a puppet of his own psyche. More on this depth psychology at www.WhyWeSuffer.com
11
Trump was right to say, “I hold both countries responsible” for conflicts between the U.S. and Russia. He could have elaborated, “Of course Russia interfered in our election, just like we interfered in Ukraine before and during the Orange Revolution to pull them into NATO and surround Russia. It’s the game we both play.” Focusing on the ignorant and narcissistic justifications Trump fed his base raises him above the issue of peace in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Syria. Russia is a regional power, economically weak, a major nuclear power run by an autocrat and corrupt oligarchy. U.S. policy from Clinton to Obama was to threaten Russia with NATO and E.U. expansion. The U.S. and Russia could negotiate with the Baltic States, Georgia, the Syrian factions, the whole region to build economic, political, and military interdependence, and long-term security. Will Putin give up any expansionist dreams in exchange for stability? No loss if we try it out.
1
Watching Trump fawning, the uncertainty in his eyes.I see weakness.
15
Now would be a good time to see those tax returns. I mean, come on!!
22
If Trump believes Putin was not involved in election meddling, then I have a university for him to sign up for...
5
Whatever your views are regarding Trump, his performance at today's news conference in Helsinki should be conclusive evidence that he is incapable of leading this country. Any normal president would have saved the diplomatic niceties for his private conversation with Putin and would have explained that he must publicly and aggressively support his intelligence agencies' assessment of Russian interference. Based on what Trump actually said in public, one can only imagine how obsequious he must have been behind closed doors. The obvious question is why Trump voluntarily chose to have this "summit" meeting now. He was advised that indictments of Russian agents were coming and he had to know that someone would ask about interference. The fact that he still went through with this diplomatic train wreck indicates extreme arrogance, extreme incompetence or a combination of both. There is no way to spin this as a win for the U.S. It is time for any principled members of this administration to resign in protest and cooperate with the ongoing investigations.
21
It’s obvious who’s the puppet and who is pulling the strings at this conference. It is just as obvious that our “representatives” don’t have the courage to do what is right and may in fact no longer understand, or worse, choose to ignore their pledge to support and uphold the Constitution. One begins to wonder if the self interest of our elected representatives and their sense of entitlement has taken preference over the Constitution?
16
After we help the Russians investigate their meddling in our election I have an idea for what Trump can do next. He and O.J. can work together to find the real killer.
9
Given Trump’s bootlicking performance today, it is now a matter of vital national security that Trump’s tax returns be turned over to those investigating Russian attacks on the American electoral process. There may well be other explanations for his complete subservience to the horrid little despot, but surely it is now imperative to determine Trump’s Russian financial ties with specificity and certainty. His tax returns are a good place to start.
12
Nest step is to apply for accession to the Russian federation. US states will be reclassified as oblasts.
3
Why don't we accept Putin's offer of help? There are 12 particular Russians he should send over here, since they are knowledgeable of all the details. Let's ask specifically for those 12 Russians named in last Friday's indictments. Why didn't our President ask for them?
3
I agree with most comments. Treason is the right word to use now.
Enough is enough!
14
Q: "Republican Patriots: Where are you???”
A: Scared spitless of being primaried by a pro-Trumper.
13
Under no circumstances should anyone resign from the administration. Any person inclined to do so should gather documents for the sake of America, and should speak the truth from now on. That may lead to being fired. That is the most effective course of action.
10
With this obsequiousness to the murderous dictator Putin, "Moscow" Donald Trump has bypassed Neville Chamberlain and approached the territory of Philippe Pétain. Unfair? Perhaps to Pétain, who at least distinguished himself in service to France during the first World War, whereas Trump has always and only showed cowardice.
15
Trump's weird and likely treasonous thinking:
1. With Russia everything is US fault.
2. With EU everything is their fault.
It is unexplainable for a normal and honest person. At this point the best defense for Trump may be insanity.
12
I thought all conversations/meetings undertaken by an elected official representing the US, had to be documented. There are three branches of Government, how does oversight work if no one knows what was discussed in the two hour meeting?
9
Now why can't the British be so accommodating as to publicly dismiss their intelligence communities finds in the Skripal case? Trump is quite right to call Ms May weak. Show her what strength looks like Donald!
1
I don't think Trump is trying to blame America but the Democrats for poor U.S./Russian relations. In other words, he's using the summit to be partisan.
But it's very odd that Trump should meet with Putin and say nice things about him when he says the opposite about his traditional allies.
4
These events show trump/putin's hijacking of democracies and the free world that is reminiscent of the moment of devolution, and finally destruction of the 'Weimar Republic' not so long ago! Trump/Putin has become an inseparable diad that expresses tyranny, lies-laden bigotry and annihilation of democratic values of individual rights and justice for all. Self-aggrandizement of trump/putin will for sure annihilate world peace that has been arduously built long term by thoughtful global statesmen. Can American's have the courage to wake up from their bad dream?
2
Aid: to help, assist, or support someone in achieving something; to promote or encourage someone or something. Abet: to encourage or assist someone to commit a crime. Traitor: a person who betrays their country. Trump has now completed the cycle.
10
Any American not crying today over Trump’s performance in Helsinki, and throughout this international trip, simply doesn’t understand the meaning of the words “Patriot,” or “Treason.”
Our friends are our now our enemies, and our enemies are now our allies. This is not only not reality, but it’s not up to Trump, or any one man, to decide this!
17
Today was a very low point for the United States of America. Our former allies have every reason to be wary of our leader. Because no one with authority—except Mueller—seems to have any interest in curbing him, I am wary of our entire government. If Congress does not react to Trump's insipid jabbering and inexcusable pandering to Putin in Helsinki today, I fear our standing in the world will suffer tremendously.
Russia is not an ally of this country. Putin has no plan to lead the world in consert with the US. Putin is all too aware that Trump is a bumbling idiot—especially when it comes to running a country—that's why he helped get Trump into power.
Our so-called president is simply Putin's straw man—a leader in name only. He has no interest in the well-being of our nation or our planet. His only concern is for himself, every action he takes is aimed at satisfying his ego and adding to his wealth. His words and actions today do not indicate any sense of loyalty to the United States and its institutions, most strikingly the FBI. Surely know the private conversation between Trump and Putin had even less to do with our best interests.
Republicans, all Congresspersons, and every citizen in this country must have some skepticism regarding his intentions and continuing to serve as president of this country. No thinking person can defend Trump as our leader after today's shameful performance.
We have all been disgraced by this man.
4
Totally agree!
2
I just can not fathom the gall and ignorance of that man complaining of Democratic obstruction when the book was written by Republicans during President Obama’s term.
Nor the people that can accept that statement as anything other than the string of continuing lies and falsehoods.
7
Trump is either completely stupid or completely controlled by Putin.
12
Why not both?
4
I think both are true.
2
I want Putin to train my dog - my dog does not always listen to me. His does!
6
These Republican members of Congress who have the insight and guts to speak against Trump's kowtowing to Putin, must now concretize their verbal rebuke of this president's actions by announcing they will NOT vote in favor of any Supreme Court nominee until Trump does his constitutional duty and holds Putin responsible for his attack on the US election. Nothing less than stymying the president in some area he wants very much to win in, will bring him to to. Say No to Trump, Republican gentlemen and ladies of Congress.
7
Putin offered to have Russian intelligence agencies work with their American counterparts on the election meddling case — “an incredible offer,” Mr. Trump said in the wake of 12 Russian intelligence officers being indicted for tampering is US domestic affairs Putin offers to have Russian intelligence agencies work with their American counterparts on the election meddling case. In approving response to this Trump says it is “an incredible offer.” This is akin to having foxes investigate foxes killing the chickens---and at best Trump is a dumb cluck that is willing to treasonably collude with Putin.
8
Step one in the joint investigation would be for the Russians to ask Mueller to show them exactly how he figured out the Russians interfered. They would ask for names of informants, inquiry software, etc. They of course would not be able to provide material like that from their side since they never meddled. Trump would help the Russian investigators by eagerly agreeing to provide them with US top secret documents to aid their imaginary investigation.
it is truly insulting that Donald thinks that the majority of American voters would fall for his and Vlad’s joint venture idea. Trump is obviously used to dealing with his uneducated , drooling base who lack logical thinking, do not question anything.
5
SCHUMER: Please do whatever needs to be done so that no SCOTUS nominees are considered until all investigations against this treasonous "president" are completed.
18
What on earth does Putin have on Trump that turns Trump into such a cream puff?
20
Do we know how often Trump watches "The Americans"?
4
When is Trump going to simply hand over the keys to the U.S. to Putin? Maybe he already has. What next? Is he going to give Russia access to our individual, personal information? How far will this deeply compromised guy go in giving away our country?
9
Trump's "two thoughts" answer reminded me of his Charlottesville response. I guess he thinks there also "some fine people" involved.
Meanwhile, never have I experienced such murderous thoughts.
9
The most telling part of this article, for me, is how Trump responds to questions about Russian interference in the election. Even if Putin had admitted that, yes, Russia had interfered in our election, Trumps next question would have been, "OK, but you didn't collude with my campaign, right?". That's all he cares about. It's all about him. Democracy takes a back seat to his ego.
13
Did anyone bring up Russia's next-generation nuclear weapons... ...other than I guess the person ejected for holding up a sign?
3
They own him. Lock, stock and pickle barrel.
13
If you could see this whole thing as a bystander you'll be really appalled. In Mexico we grew up thinking that most of the countries had to choose between two evils: the USA or the Soviet Union, each one with their own set of bad things, but both of them experts at meddling and fighting their war in other countries. Think Afghanistan, Germany (before the wall came down), the contras, Iran, all that.
Think of all the American and foreign lives lost in these wars. Think of countries razed to the ground by the battle between the Soviet Union and the U.S.A.. Think of everything you have done in the name of your country, even the bad things, like undeserved and real witch hunts against Americans who had done nothing wrong and the killings of thousands of civilians in the name of freedom against Communism.
And look at this president, who sold you all for 33 cents to an evil autocrat.
Oh, man.
5
USA to Trump, "You're fired!"
10
Putin’s even got all the right buzzwords in there, the trigger words - “dossier”, “collusion”, “Soros”, “deep state”, “Democrats”, “electoral college”.
Textbook manipulation here; ‘da, Donald, I feel your pain. I empathise. In me, you have a friend who understands. So, about Ukraine...’
9
Rather than support its own leftist modern role model, Vladimir Putin, MSM now slinks and howls like jackals that President Trump downplays the political circus that is the Mueller inquisition. MSM is so shamelessly hypocritical, but so thoroughly predictable: news organizations across America have blasted our country 24/7/365 since our President took the oath of office, and yet today, they're all red, white and blue.
What a laugh. No thinking human finds this at all credible.
Putin is Trump’s poster boy for governmental management. I have never heard the main stream media express the least admiration for Vlad. Fortunately today the media, except for Fox, was red, white, and blue like they always are, even when they get death threats from Trump’s base. The media are patriots unlike Trump who slit the throat of our nation today when he kissed up to Putin.
2
And the lesson is this: Never ever set the bar with this man. Low? We have not even come close to the nadir point yet.
Hamlet spoke of defying augury. This man's capacity for willful self-sabotage, blithering idiocy, and embarrassing stupidity defies belief. A "presidency" that had moments of appearing darkly comedic, tipped, long ago, into full-blown tragedy. He's a menace to logic, reason, decency, the law, ethics, morality, and humanity.
At this rate, he's going to lap himself at criminally stupid and come into the home stretch of wholesale treason before summer's end. The only question is whether anyone will be left standing on the board when this, Putin's prize pawn, is finally removed.
12
I watched this press conference in disbelief and many Europeans feel the same way. We feel betrayed, we are terribly frightened that the democratic order will collapse,This president, your president, feels closer to Putin than to us, Europeans.Judging from what we saw publicly, it;s becoming even more frightening what might have happened behind closed doors. Did Putin and Trump agree on a Yalta-2 of sorts? Seems entirely possible now. Please American friends, do correct the terrible mistake you have made in the last elections.If you don't act, we will find ourselves in a changed world in a few years from now.Please defend your and our freedom.
16
Many were wondering why Trump need to meet Putin alone. The reason is they both have an agenda to run America and Russia perpetually. Trump need Putin to deny the election meddling as 'proof' he is a legitimate president.
Trump admire dictators, so he need Putin to deny, so he can rule US just like Putin rule Russia. They are comrades ruling America and Russia happily thereafter.
For Trump, democratic process is just a tool to achieve his personal ambition to be a dictator for life. In this sense, we are seeing the failure of the democratic process unfolding before our eyes, mainly due to manipulation of the 'deplorables' voter base to favor Trump and the Republican party.
7
What is it going to take to get this Manchurian candidate out of office? He has now admitted to being a traitor to the interests of the United States. He blames the justice dept and believes Putin: an ex-KGB agent who kills his opponents. I don't know who is the biggest liar. I do know ours is a traitor and needs removal NOW! It cannot wait until November.
7
This meeting demonstrated what we have known about him since the beginning of the campaign. Trump’s remarks in their totality indicate that he prioritizes legitimizing his election over our national security. The news conference became about him rather than the country. Isn’t this a high crime?
7
After watching the deplorable presser, I now completely believe that 45 was not elected by the voters but installed as President by the Russians under Putin's direction. We are undergoing a coup in the US by the alt-right billionaires and Russia. Trump is a traitor.
10
How can his entire cabinet not resign at once? So much for John Bolton being a tough guy. I suppose Betsy DeVos could stay.
6
Should we have any reason for Trump to represent us around the globe, let alone in closed doors with his buddy Putin, of whom he finds perfection in lealership?
4
What a despicable cowardly traitor Trump is. He sold out America to our long term enemy who helped place him in office. We Americans need to restore honor to our White House by removing Trump from office. Pence is unfit based on his complicity in this treason.
8
Trump gone rogue with his narcissism. We should have tested him and put him in a straight jacket a year ago. He's a communist sympathizer and supports a communist plot and take over of USA. He needs to be removed from office. The rest of the world I bet has their jaws dropping open with amazement at how stupid America is. Insanity to allow a communist country to take over a President and the USA.
5
President Trump siding with Putin and rejecting the position of our intelligence agencies on hacking of our election borders on treason. Colluding with the enemy and refusing to counter future hacking attempts betrays our democracy . If the Republican Party doesn’t disavow this behavior by the President, it also will be guilty of treasonous behavior
5
I have warm feelings and sympathy for the vast majority of Russians. After all, they are fellow human beings, and they didn't elect their leader, also something I share with them. I have only disdain for Putin, his sock puppet Trump, and their henchmen (and henchwomen).
From the days of W., I have luggage with a tag that says "Sorry the president is an idiot. I didn't vote for him." I didn't think I'd need to use that luggage again. I was wrong.
5
Sheer surrealism, the president of the United States belittles the respected institutions of his own country to establish a ‘manly friendship’ with a ruthless adversary president.
8
It's one thing for Trump to express his uninformed or LYING opinions on home turf, but when he does it overseas, he's supposed to be representing our country. This ignorant, self-centered man just disrespected all of our investigative agencies to feed his fear (of Mueller finding something out) or ego (he's still obsessed about the election), though I think those are just excuses to suck up to Putin.
It will be interesting to see how Fox, Breitbart, et al spin this. Fox had several articles about what Trump could do, issues/points that could or should be discussed, common ground, etc, but none of it matters after Trump did this.
THANKS to all the people who are working on this to protect our country. The worst thing is Trump has given Russia a pass to meddle in our elections. I hope states and fed investigators can work together to maintain the integrity of our elections.
8
Every glad-handing word Trump said of Russia today makes sense of you entertain one hypothesis: Putin is paying Trump a few billion dollars a year to run America according to Russia’s wishes. Putin is getting a bargain.
9
Donald Trump's behavior with Putin is just shocking. Trump should resign from the presidency immediately. Whether intentionally or through ignorance he is promoting Russian interests over those of the United States. It isn't safe to give him a security clearance, much less the power of a president. How can any true patriot work with him or for him? How can any elected member of congress fail to protect the country from the man selling us out to an adversary?
13
I believe he, whose name I cannot speak, comes to mind after reading the code below.
'Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.'
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(2)(J), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2148.)
18
What is visible in our face today has been visible to everyone willing to look at Trump with an unbiased lens. He has come this far because the Republicans throughout our government have continuously supported and enabled Trump's behavior. Trump has said similar statements throughout his presidency, scripted by Fox News and other right wing media sources. The only difference here is the statements were made with Putin a few feet away. Our president is more comfortable next to Putin than he is in Washington. I expect him to soon slink away to "rallies for his base", and refocus the media and Republicans elsewhere with a new flurry of angry tweets about servers and emails.
America has a chance to put some restraints on his behavior, and ultimately impeach this obvious traitor by voting in November 2018 to create a Democratic majorities in Congress.
11
Wait. Don't tell me. The usual suspects have trooped before us to tell us this and the Russian spy just charged with attempting to create a direct back channel between Putin and Trump is "all a coincidence."
When historians get through with those who colluded with a colluder and enabled him, cheered him on, and became apologists for the sale of our democracy to the highest bidder, there will be nothing but ribbons and snippets of scrap paper on the floor. Filthy dirty ones.
7
There is something tremendously weird about this photo of Donald Trump. I have wondered for ages if he is, or has, a doppleganger or even more than one, because I cannot think of any seventy year old I know who could have gone through the presidential primaries, and everything that has happened since and still have the energy he appears to have. Trump or the person who we think is Trump, acts physically like someone of fiftyl. And this photo of him looks strange,
1
He has never looked healthy to me.
5
Reagan to Gorbachev: Tear down that wall.
Trump to Putin: Where are those e-mails? Where is that server?
12
Donald Trump is a traitor to our national interests. I look forward to seeing Mueller indict Trump for treason. I also want to know exactly what the impact of the Russian interference in the 2016 election was. I would be pleased to see the results of the election overturned and this treasonous administration ... and every action that they have taken since January 2017 ... shown the door.
13
Trump said that Putin is a strong leader.
"Call him a killer." ( Nicole Wallace said on MSNBC ).
Yes, Putin kills journalists who write the truth about what this dictator does,
and he makes opponents just disappear.
Trump embraces this killer - and refuses to accept that Russia hacked and attacked the 2016 election.
Disgusting that Trump denies the fact and truth that Russia attacked America, and refuses to accept what the Intelligence Community has revealed.
18
Impeach him - then arrest him. Enough already. He is an incompetent traitor. Hey, Mitch McConnell - if you do nothing now you are as guilty as Trump is. I hope Hillary is ready to take her rightful place. This entire presidency will have to be erased, all of it, Supreme Court Justices and all. ENOUGH!!!!
20
Forgive me America for having voted for this treasonous, egomaniacal, sociopath. I have decided to leave the Republican party and vow to do everything possible to defeat not only this president but the spineless, collaborators within the GOP that have given him full rein and tacit endorsement for the inexcusable. The last straw has been placed. I'll not rest until this idiot man-child is gone from office and his self-serving, career sycophants are cast into the rubbish bin of history along with him.
My level of disgust at his latest treasonous statements are burning white hot in my chest as I write these sad, painful words.
26
Thanks? I guess?
My only problem with your mea culpa is that it was no secret that Trump is a monster and a criminal. Why did you vote for him? If you say anything negative about Clinton it better not be any of the conspiracy theories. You will find that the team you have finally decided to join generally reject conspiracy theories because, well, they are conspiracy theories and we aren't stupid.
6
I applaud your courage in saying that. That is a patriotic stance!
4
your apology rings hollow sir. We tried over and over to tell you and yours what this man would be-he showed us himself, long before that sham of an election. You willfully ignored millions of voices of reason. Let this hang on your (collective) head(s). I hope you can sleep at night, I can't.
1
How is it that Trump can meet in private with a "former" master spy of a hostile foreign power, one known to have, and continue to, violate U.S. electoral process, and not be considered a severe risk to national security? If he were anyone else, would he even still qualify for a security clearance?
15
It is OUTRAGEOUS that Trump, under suspicion of criminal collusion with Russia, defiantly proceeded with a closed-door meeting with Putin and will forever refuse to reveal its record.
And in regards to Trump's spellbound remarks after his session with Putin, let me remind the readers of 18 US Code 2381, the law that defines treason:
"Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."
Where are the "strict constructionist" judges now??
How much more evidence does it take to IMPEACH, CONVICT, and SENTENCE TRUMP??
17
Mr. Trump says he "doesn't see any reason why it would be" Russia that interfered in the 216 elections. Of course not; that would mean admitting that Russia thought he could be duped and Clinton could not be duped. Russia was right.
If it is not malfeasance and/or high crimes and misdemeanors to believe an enemy over our own intelligence agencies, please tell me why not.
Mr. Trump is doing all he can to undermine our country, the American way of life and values and our legal system.
10
So the criminal wants his co-conspirator to assist the police?
Has Trump no shame?
15
Where are you congress! Our president is in bed with a dictator and selling out American democracy for who knows to what end. This seemingly endless love affair with an adversary has gone on way way to long. Time to man up and put an end to the selling out of our nation!
19
Compelled to comment on the sad events of the day, even though 2496 others have already done so. Could not help but notice, with shame and dismay, at both Trump and Putin bloviating about their respective ego driven consipratorial nonsense while the rest of could only watch in dismay...Trump's rant about "servers", "where are the servers?" and Putin's charge that "hundreds of millions of dollars" (or did he say billions?) left Russia for the Clinton camp looked like an Abbot and Costello routine. When I thought I had heard the outer limits of their duplicity I believe Putin blurted out that yes, he did want to see Trump win and played a part in it too! They're two tyrants cut from the same egomaniacal autocratic cloth. Unlike Russia though - we have (in theory) independent branches of govt that might be able to get us out of this. But I fear they won't.
19
So who is telling the truth about the $400 million and who has the proof?
1
If Barack Obama had said this and behaved in this fashion, the Republican party would have demanded his arrest on charges of treason. A bill of impeachment would already have been passed.
Obama was held to one standard. Mr. Trump, it appears, is not held to any standard at all: temper tantrums and throwing Starburst at another world leader. Sex with a porn star while his wife was at home with a newborn baby, paying hush money, lying to the press about it. Use your travel abroad to make infomercials for you money-losing properties. Side with a hostile foreign power that attacked our country.
It's treason, plain and simple. Trump should be arrested on his return to the country, Pence locked up, and Paul Ryan's retirement will have to be delayed until we conduct another election after the 2016 election has been declared invalid.
It's time to take our country back.
34
Our Manchurian president is still under the spell.
12
OMG! Putin is in charge and Trump is his dummy. He has spent recent weeks insulting our allies, and lauding our enemies. This country is the laughingstock of the world. I hope the people who voted for Trump realize they were voting for Russian control of our country. Are you happy now?
27
Much to the contrary, Putin is not the problem--or the enemy. The greater problem for the deep-swamp, e.g., CIA, NSA, FBI, RNC-DNC Politburos et al., was the Constitution --Trump won.
So all that was once glossed over and buried to advance Hillary is now being unearthed. Only the framers of the constitution could appreciate the true irony and the truth that has emerged as a result of their wisdom or foresight.
Trump an unlikely president but the only one in the mix who could have brought the corruption into the border of light. Not by chance.
2
Trump is a traitor. And he's selling our country right down the river to a hostile, expansionist state. He needs to go. Now.
26
The commander in chief of the United States of America just sold out his own country. There's a headline I did not see coming ten years ago.
24
A reporter carrying a piece of paper that had only four words on it. i.e., "Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty" - no opinion, just a subject line which to sane people in a democracy to be a subject of concern - was forcibly removed from the press conference, even though he agreed to leave after being asked to leave the room. I don't want that to go unnoticed at how characteristic it is of Putin to do this, and now Trump. Also - should there be discussions about removing Trump and considering Pence to replace him - people should be reminded in that event that Pence lied about Flynn, claiming of Flynn and Kislyack: "They did not discuss anything having to do with the United States’ decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against Russia." That's a false statement and Pence is equally culpable.
Both Trump AND Pence should resign. Not next month. Not next week. Not tomorrow. They should resign NOW.
18
As a European I hope for very good relations with the US. When I read that Trump called the EU an 'economic foe' I was like 'did a misread something?!'
EU and the US just tried to negotiate TTIP where we had the chance to come economically as close as never before. I see a lot of american products in Europe and of course nobody thinks 'this is american, this is european". Trump is artificially trying to make us enemies to be able to bargain and maybe get a better deal while he doesn't realize how his plan backfires. Since when can you make a good deal if you can't trust each other?
Besides that Americans and Europeans have common values. At least those people who don't fall for the populist sentiment. We shouldn't give up to work together on a multilateral order for everyones benefit.
But what matters even more that we have common values
15
Just think, not all that long ago, the Democrats and New York Times expressed tremendous skepticism about our intelligence agencies and their ability to assess the activities of our adversaries. Does WMD ring a bell? Now, however, in a remarkable about-face, the intelligence agencies are endorsed as the gold standard of figuring stuff out. Of course, it's called political expediency. And no one can really doubt that this recent indictment wasn't a serious exercise. It was just a farce. They would have kept it secret, seeking to lure the defendants to a country with which we share extradition arrangements, if they really intended to go to trial and prove their case. Finally, the "interference" is silly. They tricked a few high-ranking Democrats into giving up their email account passwords (i.e., idiots), and put out stories on social media. Oooooooh. In some respects, they did us a public service revealing the DNC's shenanigans. And, Hillary's insecure server did more to expose our political system to foreign meddling than any of that. So, please, enough sanctimony.
1
And just think: not so long ago that republican right wingers were defending the credibility of those same agencies.
So?
6
You just proved my point. It's all about politics. It was then, and it is now. If the importance of that doesn't resonate, nothing will.
1
The United State was openly attacked by a foreign government - Russian. Rest assured that when the dust settles everyone involved with be held accountable.
No one in this democracy is above the law, including Trump.
5
Where are the interviews with John Bolton and other key national security officials in the administration and in Congress? We need to get them on the record because history, and maybe even our legal system, will not be kind to those who abdicate their sworn allegiance to this country by letting this disgrace continue.
19
I hope the number of protesters greeting Trump when he arrives back in the U.S. outnumber the protesters in the U.K. for his recent debacle of a visit. Really, all Americans should be in the streets demanding that he be pulled from office. He has betrayed his country and his people. Can you imagine any other western leader defending Putin? Putin probably can't believe his good fortune right now. It's like the Twilight Zone!
20
One thing in this matter I want to make a remark about. A Congress member is angry about the the way Trump behaves towards the thug from Russia. Isn't the other one just as big a thug? I would think so...
2
Evidently, your "checks and balances" are missing in action. There is a bit of talk but zero walk. The world cannot believe what you are allowing to happen to your country.
26
Congressional Republicans spotted with missing accountability system -- apparently it's been disguised as Blank Checks & Balances.
2
Well, we've now officially moved from farce to theater of the absurd. I'm patiently waiting for Mr. Mueller to bring down the curtain and turn up the house lights.
22
Trump is now exposed as a double agent for Russia. This means Trump work for Russia by siding with Russia for claiming American intel about the 2016 election hacking was based on false argument.
Ladies and gentleman, This is ground for impeachment. What are Republicans waiting for? Let a traitor run America?
22
Can anyone tell us why they needed to meet alone?
23
Beats the heck out of me why Trump's meeting shouldn't include anyone else from America. At this point, as far as I'm concerned there weren't ANY Americans in attendance at that meeting.
10
It's obvious Trump is compromised by the Russians. I don't expect Republicans to have any integrity to actually push back against Trump. The Republicans won't do much and will help sell out our country to Russia. Trump is a disgrace and embarrassment. Vote in November.
15
Trump has been called every name in the book - and he's deserved virtually all of them.
I'll add one more - Coward (with a capital "C"). In fact - Coward-in-Chief.
19
It appears Mr Trump is building his wall, between our citizenry and the rest of the world, with one exception; the narrowest part of the Bering Strait.
17
That translator with TrumPutin, can Mueller subpoena him (her)? I'm just kidding but quite frankly, I believe that Trump is seriously mentally ill. He makes no sense what so ever.
16
The United States does not have a President, Trump is more like a mafia boss.
Today's performance underlined the fact. Impeachment would be the easy way out for Trump and the Republicans. Charges of treason should be brought against this criminal.
23
Yeah, you need to get him out if the White House. I’ve always thought that despite him being an utterly repugnant person to me, I could see why some may have elected him - for whatever disagreeable reason - and that his presidency would be chaotic and nauseating for the likes of me but run its course as they do to 2020 or (oh God) 2024 because he still won. Is he really a Manchurian candidate? Russia? Collusion? Well, it’s fantastical - right..? A president of the US doing that? Right.....? Anyone...?
But that was a woeful performance. Shocking, actually. And Putin so visibly smug, the smirks etc. And Trump’s wink? I don’t know what’s going on there but he needs to be voted out, or run out by whatever legal political method allows. This is dangerous.
20
The people with solid educations and experience in government who now work for Trump--Pompeo, Bolton, Neilson (Homeland Security), Kelley (reportedly on his way out)--don't they have any personal honor ? To work for such a dishonorable man (by history and current conduct) turns you into an enabler--not a protector of the republic from him, as General Mattis reportedly uses as a justification for staying and working for Trump.
17
Trump, the great negotiator, just traded away American democracy for a soccer ball (and thinks he got an awesome deal).
28
I hope we had a microphone in the room.
13
"Mr. Putin offered to have Russian intelligence agencies work with their American counterparts on the election meddling case — “an incredible offer,” ["covfefe"] said."
An incredible amount of gall, more like. But apparently there's Very Fine People on both sides there too.
17
I expect a Military Coup here as soon as trump returns, though Trump is right and, "US Intelligence", is an oxymoron. They will arrest Trump like they did in Egypt. This place is done. Let me out of here.
8
Move to Russia, you won't be able to tell the difference at this point between the two self-adoring balding autocratic has-beens.
6
And leave you here to live under a military Dictatorship which is your future. You will soon live under the guidance of the US Military, Criminal, Industrial Complex. This place is done.
3
Shame shame shame on the Republican Party if they let Trump’s treasonous antics with the G7, NATO Theresa May, and Putin go unchecked.
Just wait until November.
28
For those of us who have always suspected that Trump is an enemy of America, our fears have been eerily confirmed. To watch him today was beyond comprehension. Will he protect us if we are attacked? What about our allies? What must they be thinking? Even Pence would not do this. It is time. It is time. It is time. The Senate and House must demand he resign! We will take our chances with Pence. Trump is unfit.
22
"18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason
- Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, ...."
There we are already!
23
Give him an umbrella and call him Neville.
11
Mr. Trump: "They're getting close. Should I be worried?"
Mr. Putin: "Even the agents' names in that indictment are fake. Anyway, you have the pardon, yes?
Mr. Trump: "Yes, and I'll use it if I have to but I'd rather not - it'll be a political bombshell."
Mr. Putin: "Don't worry. I read this morning that you have a lot of money already for your reelection. Will you need help again?"
Mr. Trump: "Can I let you know through the usual channels?"
Mr. Putin: "Of course."
23
Oh sorry Mr Putin, most of the money laundering charges, etc are state level indictments - no presidential pardons for Cohen and Manafort I’m afraid.
And that’s why they’ll be giving up the truth on Trump shortly.
9
Morally bankrupt. Financially Bankrupt. Where do we go from here as a country. Our own president wont protect us folks.
19
the (2) biggest self serving liars on planet earth...its a complete waste of time listening to anything these clowns have to say...both show us how pathetic this world has become
10
What bothers me even more than what Trump said is the silence from the majority of Republicans including Mitch McConnell. McConnell took a lot of campaign money from companies directly related to Russia. I appreciate those Republican senators who actually spoke up in defense of our country and intelligence communities. But those Republicans who remain silent are making us wonder whose side they are on. No wonder they are so afraid of Mueller.
23
Actually a very good result as it should put matters in a clear perspective for the vast majority of the people. Good luck with cleaning up this mess. It may take some time but I do trust the American people and they will make America great again!
8
Putin showed off his assert today, and showed how strong a control
he has on Trump's thinking, psychologically and emotionally.
The Handler and his Agent.
12
We can all sleep secure tonight in the knowledge that President Trump has met with Putin and is claiming to bring us the equivalent of peace in our time.
5
I am so glad my father, one of the Greatest Generation, is not alive to witness this abominable dismantling of our Democracy.
13
Trump thinks it's an "incredible offer" to have our law enforcement come to Russia to watch Russians interview the GRU agents who hacked our elections.
Yeah, it's incredible you'd think that's a good offer.
How about extraditing them and their commanders and we interrogate them ourselves, or better, how about flat out admitting it? We owe Russia no apologies, no hand kissing, no kow-towing and certainly no friendly collaboration and pattycake while investigating THEIR interference in OUR election.
9
The must be an emergency enactment of the 25th Amendment now. America, you are dying.
7
Can we change Trump’s passport before he gets back in the country? Can’t Russia just keep him? Putin could just consider Trump a souvenir from his trip to Finland...
24
President Trump is your elected President. Sorry that you cannot accept the truth that the USA has been a terrorist Nation since WWII.
Point of clarification: "since WWII"? If you're going to be hyperbolic, you should go back farther.
Trump is a carbuncle on America.
Lets be honest that the Republicans should stay at home if they are not going
to do something to stop Trump from being a traitor, in open sight,
Where are McConnell and Ryan?
Silenced by the Russian conspiracy?
10
History is a living thing that makes the characters acting in time ans space - as agents of their own actions, and controlled by ideological forces beyond their own control.
The Republicans, the GOP and the RNC, are all controlled by forces that are made in Russia, and their own psychological and emotional values are what?
Made in America?
Or, Made in Russia?
History is being written now.
4
Vladimir Putin must have terribly damning evidence on Trump. Evidence that would effect, as Carl Jung said, a "moral defeat" of our so-called President.
That Donald would gaslight the American public, the world, reveals the factual truth of his character and motivation. Ego and selfishness on a scale that is somewhat difficult to imagine, although not impossible in 2018.
Colonel Kurtz is made to resemble an amateur.
11
When will the Republican Senate and Republican house pull up the stakes and shut down this circus?
13
The white house staff may as well raise the Russian flag above the building and take down the Stars and Stripes. Donald Trump has disgraced the office. What Chamberlain was to the British, Trump is now to the USA, namely an appeaser and worse still, a traitor.
16
What a sell-out! This awful man is a self-serving liar, a traitor, obstructs justice, and calls our FBI/CIA and justice system a bunch of liars. How is it we have become so inured to our own privileges as a nation that we can't do something about such a leader? Not what the founding fathers had in mind. Not what I had in mind.
To our representatives in government: for the good of our country, please get Trump out of office before he destroys us, alienates our allies, and draws us into the lair of his new "friends" like, say, Putin. Trump is a complete disaster.
11
The fact that only a smattering of Republicans are speaking out about this treasonous travesty is beyond belief. We really are in deep trouble here.
24
How has the right wing gone relatively tone deaf on this matter? You do know this is RUSSIA we're talking about, right? When Obama was president both Russia and China openly disrespected him, thought he was weak, inferior. Now our "Straight-Shooter-in-Chief" shows up and does he chew them out like he gnaws on Democrats in his infomercial rallies? No, he FAWNS over them. Our president is hard-wired to promote HIS BRAND, not you. His 88 million dollar group of buddies, not you. Conservative America, I don't want you to turn into left wingers (while we ignore the irony of the essence of Communism), but WHAT did all those soldiers you demand we respect and remember actually die for??? A DEAL??? Not for nothing, but Russia and China's economies are shaky at best, we don't need to be cozying up to these guys. Richard Nixon was pilloried at home, but he went to Russia and China and looked like a BOSS. Today and throughout your trip, Donald Trump, you showed again that your greatest attraction is also your greatest flaw; you simply don't know how to keep your mouth shut.
12
Trump’s behavior in Helsinki was treason. He stupidly betrayed our country for Russian lies and a few dirty kisses. It is obvious now that Putin bought the 2016 election for a price too small for America to tolerate.
There will be trouble serious trouble for Trump since Americans will tolerate no more of him.
17
Finally, Trump himself alluded to Peter Strzok’s recent congressional testimony: "(...) And if anybody watched Peter Strzok testify over the last couple of days, and I was in Brussels watching it, it was a disgrace to the FBI. It was a disgrace to our country. And you would say that was a total witch hunt. Thank you very much, everybody." No, Mr. Trump Peter Strzok was not at all a disgrace to 'your' country. You, Mr. Trump, you are a disgrace to 'your' country.
But while Strzok recent testimony was indeed a circus (certainly with Trey Gowdy going on and on trying to entrap him), no one was able to point to anything specific Strzok actually did to help Clinton win or hurt Trump. And Strzok has been gone from the Mueller probe for nearly a year now. Indeed on that specific hearing the Republicans have shown their bad faith.
Overall, the takeaway is clear. Trump couldn’t care less about Russian hacking attempts to interfere with the election. He views Mueller, the Justice Department, and Democrats as his true enemies. And he’s willing to viciously attack them even while standing onstage with the Russian president.
20
What is a disgrace is that Republicans seem to think that an FBI agent's alleged infidelity means that he's untrustworthy even as they continue to worship Trump. Don't they see the irony?
14
If a Democratic president acted like a Trump, he or she would be impeached and tried immediately. How come the GOP is so cowardly?
16
Their re-election is more important to them then the country.
9
Are even Republicans starting to see and acknowledge this so-called President as a traitor to his country, a man who takes the side of Russia against his own country -- the country he swore to protect and defend? This is an incredible outrage. When do the impeachment hearings start. If this isn't the definition of treason, I don't know what is.
10
Wait, did the reality vs timeline get skewed and we are now in a John Le Carré plot? Trump is Haydon, Putin is Karla/Polyakov and the meeting place is the secure “safe house” provided by the unwitting government.
We need a Smiley...
5
NYT editorial board, time to call for Trump's resignation.
15
Out of everything he has said and done, this crazy press conference with Putin is the absolute worst
10
When Fox News criticises Trump for being taking Putin's side, it should serve as a wakeup call for his supporters.
Americans should take to the street and protest against their traitor in office.
13
There has probably not been more than 3 people in the past century that were hated and ridiculed by people internationally as Trump is now. And of course, by means of more than association, the GOP is guilty of aiding and abetting an infamous traitor to the United States.
11
Is there still any doubt that Trump is a treasonous collaborator with Putin?
Can it be that today's puppet show was anything but pure drollery as the Commander-in-Chief gave the impression that he, and only he, was on the wrong end of the strings?
Since the Congress is too distracted by their petty self- interests (their 401-ks, their election prospects, e.g.) can it be said that the President of the USA, is also mired in his own unbalanced view of his role as our "leader" of the free world?
Are we not in imminent peril and danger because a very rich golf club and hotelier businessman has, by some miraculous toss of the cybercoin, put all of his marbles into the one guaranteed source of scarce capital to his vast worldwide investment pretensions?
7
Trump has no idea where the Crimea is or what happened there.
15
Please vote this person out of office. Go Vote - Please - Save America!
14
Dear Senator McConnell and Speaker Ryan:
We are dumbfounded by what we are witnessing.
A few days ago, the President denigrated NATO. The next day he urged Great Britain to sue the European Union. Today he is standing shoulder to shoulder with Vladimir Putin, publicly assailing the United States intelligence apparatus.
We get it: Just as Putin does, you also have a useful tool in the White House to advance your policy agenda. But there can be no agenda so important as to override the national security interests of the United States and its allies.
We know you know this. We know you are not naïve. The only question, we have assumed, is at what point you would decide that enough is enough.
Gentlemen: That time is at hand.
19
Trump's ego will not permit him to accept that the Russians might have helped him become president.
He has to believe that he, as they say in Chicago, "stole the election fair and square".
7
Trump's comments are surely treasonous or represent complete incompetence. This situation is very dangerous for our country.
10
So the Senate Intelligence Committee, 17 intelligence agencies and the Special Counsel all are wrong about Russian meddling?
Republicans with the exception of those who are on their way out are now down-playing the interference by saying it is not that serious or we all do it? My worry that party (fascism) is supplanting country.
This is just another tool by the Republican party to supplant the vote and majority rule in our democracy. We only have ourselves to blame for letting this happen.
John Brennan is not being hyperbolic when he says the Republican Party needs to show some courage at this point in history and restrain this President.
Many Germans defense about the Holocaust was "we didn't know"---a kind of willful ignorance. The same is true for the Republican Party and their base.
Republicans complain about Trump derangement syndrome...can we all give him a chance just like other Presidents. No, I cannot give him a chance based on today's actions...to even have this event was a surrender to a country that has long list of attacking western democracies, eliminating the free press and political opponents and trying to insidiously influence our democracy and its processes....
Voter suppression, gerrymandering, census influencing and now allowing a foreign power to influence our democracy...if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...it is a duck. The Republican Party is not the party of Lincoln anymore
WE ALL NEED TO VOTE 120 DAYS.
7
Trump should be arrested as the subversive agent of a foreign power when he steps off Air Force One. His statements and behavior have made it clear that he can no longer be trusted in the office of President of the United States.
10
"Mr. Putin offered to have Russian intelligence agencies work with their American counterparts on the election meddling case ". Yes.....!!!Let the wolf custody the chicken coop!!!
13
Instead of all the columnists, journalists, and talking heads on TV trying to make sense of all this, how about calling it what it is!! Trump is mentally ill. He is unfit to be president. What they keep calling his tweets? Let's call them RANTS, because that's what they are. He's a traitor and a crook. He has done significant damage to this, so called, shining city on a hill.
He must be removed from office ASAP, and by any means possible!
7
when do all of Trump's words and actions or lack thereof become TREASON??
9
That happened long ago. The question now is, when does treason again become a crime in this country?
2
Our president is an asset for Russia.
8
Alexei Venediktov, the editor-in-chief of of ‘Ekho Moskvy’ has said that “Russia….is disappointed that the American system does not give the same powers to the president as the Russian system does”.
In light of the Helsinki fiasco we should thank our lucky stars that he does not. Watching Putin’s expressions shift with each translation as the president proffers his mealy-mouthed comments is pretty intriguing; even he cannot believe how fruitful his tampering has been.
A full-scale decontamination will be necessary when this abomination of a president finally departs the White House.
7
Sadly, through their silence and inaction, Ryan and McConnell have already allowed this sick, self-absorbed, traitorous circus clown of a president the same powers as president Putin.
If we do not stand up now, our democracy is finished.
6
Trump today singled out his support and loyalty to Russia and to Israel. Why is he selling out America to these two powerful fascist regimes, our most dangerous enemies? They both have renowned spy craft. Do they both have compromat on him? [18.0716:1530]
6
Why aren't Americans taking to the streets of Washington and other major cities and towns of this country -- they did it in London, for God's sake! -- to demand the ouster of this bald-faced traitor? Shame on anyone who defends this un-American Communist sympathizer. Remember that term, you Republican hypocrites? We are so lost.
11
What an offer. Putin will have his un trust worthy security who kill opponents of Putins try and find who tried to destroy our Democracy during the elections. Any one who believes Russia was not involved after our FBI said it did is not living with a full size brain and needs doctors care. That sounds like the whole GOP leaders and supporters.
2
Next time someone from the USA is scheduled to meet with Putin, why don't we just grab anyone off the street - even a high school student would do - and send them instead of Trump. Because literally ANYONE in this country would have done better than Donald J. Idiot did today.
Trump has EAGERLY abased himself & debased this country to no evident purpose by kowtowing to Putin - Putin being a man who has a REAL brain and absolutely NO conscience.
Old bone-spurs versus hardened KGB guy - the outcome was predictable from the get-go. Did Trump ever see the footage of Putin & his ex-wife announcing that they were divorcing? It's KGB/mafia level at its finest!
13
It is clear now that Putin won the 2016 election for Trump and that Trump went to Helsinki to thank Putin.. Fascists of a feather flock together. But Americans will not put up with this traitor and we will
Act.
9
Classic Trump, all blather, No Guts!
6
Let Baby Trump blimp/balloon hoover along Interstate 78 overlooking his Bedsminter NJ golf course. It would be his hangnail for the summer.This man is getting smaller everyday.
3
someone asked Putin if he had any compromising intel on our treasonous president..putin said no..why hasn't anyone asked Putin how much money he has laundered to give to trump over the last 30 years???
2
Who needs back channels when the US president himself meets the enemy behind closed doors?
“No puppet, no puppet! You are the puppet!”
9
He has made us look so pathetically weak. What a miserable coward.
5
Not so much Trump, as the sitting Congress.
2
I agree with your point, but they are not the head of state. The symbolic power of the president to represent the American people was put to a great disservice today.
What was Trump doing during the Cuban missile crises? Was he asleep, busy losing money, or out grabbing women? To say, as he did at the press conference, that relations with Russia have never been worse demonstrated crass ignorance. And then to say that after a few hours that relations have improved tremendously shows just what a lunatic and deluded man he is. I was eight years old at the time of Cuban missile crisis and living in Germany where my father was in a British tank regiment stationed a few miles from the East German border. Even I knew just how serious things were. Today is nothing like that, or like other subsequent events with the Soviet Union. I remember my first visit to NYC in 1972 and being intrigued by seeing signs regularly around Manhattan indicating that the building had a nuclear shelter. They weren't in case of attack by North Korea or Iran, they were because of perceived threat from the Soviet Union. Please someone, sit Trump down and at least give some semblance of knowledge of world affairs. he makes the US look really dumb.
6
Trump's comments on Russian election meddling are beyond shameful, they are traitorous. The next Mueller indictments that likely will name Americans who have been witting and unwitting abetters to the Russian government hopefully be will as detailed as the last and comprehensive as to individual identities and activities. It's time to take the gloves off.
And, why is McConnell in hiding on this national security crisis?
6
The American left is uncomfortable with strong, powerful men like Trump and Putin. They prefer flaccid leadership, so it's no surprise that hysteria breaks out whenever statesmen get together to improve relations.
Wonderful ad hominem counter-attack: Change the subject, slice and dice with labels, implying that outrage belongs only to the left.
ALL americans can understand patriotism.
2
You think trump is a strong man? A strong man can resist urge to grab women because he has earned what he want/needs! A strong man does not need to brag and embellish his accomplishments.
A strong man does not abandon his friends and allies when the heat is turned up. I could go on but I am sure most people know what a real man is. No trump is not a strong man and anyone who follows such a man is weaker for showing there alliance to such a person.
10
Good call Rolf, who are these statesmen and when are they getting together?
3
"Mr. Putin offered to have Russian intelligence agencies work with their American counterparts on the election meddling case — 'an incredible offer,' Mr. Trump said."
For heaven's sake, is he a rube or a traitor?
Well, if the Russians come to a meeting I hope they leave their Novichok home.
4
Seriously, Am I in an episode of the twilight zone or in the 'upside down' world?
7
I tried to keep an open, unbiased and independent opinion of this president. But questioning his own intelligence community while standing next to Putin... it's too much to not ignore. In my eyes, this is the smoking gun.
11
Can any Republican office holder tell us why they needed to meet alone? It's a simple question. Let hear the good reasons.
5
“I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.”
And Stormy Daniels is extremely strong and powerful in her accusation of you but you don't seem to think she is telling the truth.
5
If this isn't the time for true American patriots to rise up--I don't know what else to say. How sad that the UK had serious demonstrations against Trump.
5
"Trump says Putin Was ‘Powerful in His Denial’ of Meddling"
Really? And that's all it took to convince the President Putin is right and the FBI, CIA, NSA are ALL wrong? And this after his own Justice Department nailed 12 Russian agents involved? What is going on here?
3
We need less war in the world.. We need to raise the standard of living of the billions of starving women and babies in the Muslim and third world, we need to open the border to give an opportunity to those in Central America, we need to promote integration in the US and Europe so that Africa can expand and thrive and eliminate racism, we need to build democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq, and meeting with Putin can't hurt with that.
“Make America great again”? Not so much. More like
“Sell America down the river”.
4
Considering that US has interfered in so many other countries' elections and governments, it is amusing to see how they throw tantrum when one of their elections gets hijacked :)
You may be sure that Trump requested Putin's assistance in the upcoming midterm election.
4
All we needed was that Peace In Our Time piece of tissue waved in Finnish breeze. Or did we, really?
Perfidy and infamy have a new name today. Just like Vichy and Quisling. It starts with a T and fits to a T.
At least on 12/7 and 9/11, we were attacked physically. Today, putin did not have to do a spitball even, and he stands victorious over all the American institutions built over a century - institutions so roundly and thoroughly trashed and trampled upon by a so-called American on foreign soil, sharing the stage with an odious dictator.
Anyone and everyone in a position of power or influence - Republican, Democrat, or anything else - in the Administration, Senate, the House of Representatives, or anyplace else - publicly mark your positions on this abomination of a day NOW - for there will be a day = a day of reckoning - sooner than later, I hope and pray - that you will be asked to state what were you thinking, what were you doing before the sun sets on this disgraceful July the 16th.
And Judge Kavanaugh, if he has an iota of respect for the Constitution that he intends to work for for some decades, would ask that his confirmation be delayed until this sham of a presidency has been sorted through via constitutional mechanisms.
My heart cries silently. We were collectively sold for a sorry pittance right before our eyes today.
This is what a total surrender is, but I never thought I would be alive to see one from OUR Republic.
6
Putin offered to have Russian intelligence agencies work with their American counterparts on the election meddling case — in Russian we call it "let the goat into the green garden".
3
GOP - few words and no action (what else is new?)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/16/us/politics/republicans-trump-putin.html
"But no Republican in Congress pledged any particular action to punish Mr. Trump, such as holding up his nominees, nor did they promise hearings or increased oversight."
Judge the GOP turncoats by their deeds, not their (worthless) words.
2
These constant complaints about Trump get boring - give it a break already - anybody who can meet with the Queen of England, then play golf in Scotland on his own resort, and then have a one on one meeting with Putin can't be a fool.
I guess it takes one to not know one.
1
Putin, KGB professional in office for 18 years vs. Trump, cheesy game-show host in office for 18 months. Even if Trump had a backbone, it would be no contest. Besides being a dimwit, Trump has 2 strikes against him: one, Putin has dirt on Trump and Trump knows it; and two, in Trump's mind the Muller investigation undermines the legitimacy of the election results. That Congress can sit back and allow this person to continue to run our country is a disgrace.
7
Clearly, the Oval Office is occupied by a sick and deeply disturbed individual.
3
Vlad is having a great week.
2
Republicans, it is now time to impeach. Impeach NOW.
7
Just waiting for Mueller to pin the tail on the donkey.
4
Or on the Elephant, as the case may be.
4
Yes, but President Obama dared to garnish his hamburger with mustard! Mustard! Probably Dijon.
5
Seriously, folks, enough is enough......this is treason. This is not just going to get swept under the carpet. The media need to remain laser-focused on the fact that our President has decided not to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States. Therefore, he needs to be removed from office.
7
As a former journalist of 30 years it was common knowledge that Trump was an international money laundering criminal. Putin has the details and proof of Trump’s illegal money laundering and that scares Trump more than any so called “pee tapes!”
Trump knows Mueller knows about the money laundering and will do anything to stop that investigation including selling out America’s allies, our intelligence and lawenforcement agencies and the American people!
The question for country...will the complicit Republican Party put country first and help impeach this criminal traitor?
13
From 1986:
"Lown, now 95, had met with USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Trump wanted to learn more about the Soviet head of state, so he spoke with Lown.
Lown told the THR:
"He said to me, 'I hear you met with Gorbachev, and you had a long interview with him, and you're a doctor, so you have a good assessment of who he is.' So I asked, 'Why would you want to know?' And he responded, 'I intend to call my good friend Ronnie,' meaning Reagan, 'to make me a plenipotentiary ambassador for the United States with Gorbachev.' Those are the words he used. And he said he would got o Moscow and he'd sit down with Gorbachev, and then he took his thumb and hit the desk and he said, 'And within one hour, the Cold War would be over!' I sat there dumbfounded. 'Who is this self-inflated individual? Is he sane or what?'"
Indeed: self-inflated, insane or what? What is the "what"? He's been itching to get to Russia for a long time.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/05/26/repor...
1
Please report accurately and say "Trump, on Putin's Side..." instead of "Trump, at Putin's Side..."
11
All you need to know is that our 'president' said "they say it was Russia...." He has clearly taken sides against the US government justice, law enforcement and the US intelligence community. He is a traitor and must, not should, be impeached!!
5
Schumer's response is far too tepid----he shouldn't be ASKING the Republican Congress to take action---he should be DEMANDING it!
That is the prob. w/ Dem leadership---they may not be able to do anything, but they could be much more forceful in their demands---very disappointing.
3
The treason being supported in plain sight by the GOP is simply breathtaking.
9
If Mueller or the Justice Department have sufficient cause, it is beyond time for him to be arrested and tried for treason. Lock him up!
2
"It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin." That, unfortunately is just the tip of the iceberg. Why is Congress still not acting to impeach this imbecile?
7
Maybe because it IS just the tip of the iceberg, and some of those Congress members are under water?
So let me get this straight.
Hillary Clinton is secretly our President and is ruining the country.
So what does that make Trump?
Her puppet?
2
Donald Trump is a Trojan Horse. At any moment I expect him to open up and Russians to pour out. Even prominent Republicans are objecting to his pro-Russia, pro-Putin, anti-US Intelligence stance. I hesitate to generalize about a large group of people, but I'm feeling confident is saying that Trump supporters are either ignorant or feeling they've been treated so unfairly in the past that they simply want anything different, no matter how disgusting, traitorous, amoral, misogynistic, obscene, cruel, dishonest, criminal and disinclined to value American ideals, alliances and historical precedent. I'm hoping America's basic structure and the collective wisdom of Americans will be strong enough to save the country from this dangerous man. I'm also curious to know how historians will write this chapter: Donald Trump: President, Tyrant, Traitor.
6
Now we know why Donald doesn't read his Presidential Daily Brief from the CIA. He is too busy selling state secrets and receiving instructions from Vladimir Putin.
3
Conservative Republicans are offended by "English as a 2nd language."
Well, how 'ya likin' Russian as a 1st language?
12
I think hillary clinton and the democrats should be shaking in the boots. Our loyal conressional reublicans with the guidance of clerubic paul ryan will probably start another benghazi investigation to protect our country. I anm almost sure the leading actors will be Trey Gowdy and of course jim jordan may be pompeo might also join in. Good luck america! we will surely make America Great again
In light of last week's indictment of the Russian military for interfering with our democratic elections and today's Trump refusal to state that Putin is lying about our intelligence discoveries, it is my deep hope that Mueller will immediately subpoena Trump to answer questions about his knowledge and involvement of the 2016 presidential campaign. Something is rotten in Helsinki!
2
"There will be is a new international order in which nation-states are encouraged to file criminal charges against each other’s officials for actions deemed to be provocative (or, more accurately, actions that can be exploited for domestic political purposes). Of all government officials in the world, American officials are the most active on the global stage - and that includes meddling in other countries’ elections. I doubt our diplomats, intelligence operatives, elected officials, and citizens will much like living in the world Robert Mueller and Rod Rosenstein have given us. If the idea was to give Vladimir Putin and his thug regime a new way to sabotage the United States, nice work."
Republicans and Democrats will indignantly condemn the failure to support the US intelligence community, but at the end of the day will do nothing more than that. Trump will carry on. Imagine if Barack Obama had made such statements...the impeachment proceedings bills would have been on the floor of the House by now. As long as the Republicans believe they'll be able to stack the Supreme Court, they'll continue this obscene cynicism at the nation's expense.
8
I don’t know how my Trump supporting neighbors, most of whom are in fact deeply patriotic, can reconcile this.
4
Your neighbors are not patriotic.
I can't help but wonder how Mueller's indictment, and now this news, has been reported to Trump's base.
4
The tent needs to come down on this circus. Americans stand up and be counted.
1
Maybe a system that results in the election of a traitorous buffoon as president and a Congress that allows him to hide his treason deserves to fail, especially when a substantial minority of the public, completely manipulated by a right-wing Republican propaganda organization posing as a news service, backs them up.
11
Watching this horrible spectacle of Trump cozying up to Putin, disparaging US allies and putting down the work of his own intelligence services and the Mueller investigation, the main thing I don't understand is this: why is there NO ONE trying to shout loud and clear to the American people that 1. Trump's actions and tweets are a profound insult to their intelligence, that they fly in the face of a mountain of evidence about the Russian interference in the election; that those Americans who chose to side with Trump's position - taking Putin at his word, being positive about the cynical, shrewd and phony offer of "collaborative" investigation with the Russians - are being played and misled in a most cynical, disrespectful way; and that 2. this siding with an adversary against an effort of multiple US defense agencies effectively amounts to treason. Why are the Democrats, the pundits, the think tanks, the activists... many, many political actors - why are they not shouting from the rooftops, that the President openly, publicly, brazenly insults the intelligence of the electorate, and acts in a treasonous way? The nation seems spell-bound, incapacitated, lost in a cacophonic noise of debates, analyses, non-stop breaking news - while this Thief-in-Chief is going on, practically unchallenged, dismantling progress at home and cooperation and rules- and value-based order abroad.
2
I wish I could afford a full page ad in the New York Times which would be addressed to our Western allies stating “As an American citizen who did NOT vote for Donald J. Trump, I would like our Western allies (and the world) know that I completely disavow everything that President Trump stated at his press conference with Putin. In fact I consider what he said to be treasonous and grounds for immediate impeachment.”
3
"What our counterintelligence investigators have learned, and the intelligence they have gathered should not have been put in an indictment — aggression by hostile foreign powers is not a law-enforcement issue, and it is a mockery of the justice system to charge foreign aggressors and pretend we presume them innocent of their attacks against our country."
1
At what point does treason begin? What else has to happen before we admit this man is guilty 'of high crimes'? Why are the Republicans (who think they invented patriotism) so silent? All we hear are cricket chirps coming from that side of the legislature. When is someone going to speak up and tell the honest, unvarnished truth about what this sad excuse for a president is doing to this country and to our allies?
8
In 1957 I swore the following oath, made by all persons enlisting in any branch of the US military: "I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.." We now have a president who is refusing to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I believe our president is guilty of treason. I hope all veterans, no matter their political preferences, will remember their oath and help in any way possible to force this traitor from office.
4
Utterly terrifying. Call your senators.
4
Just for the record: I agree with all the readers’ comments. So what? Trump’s followers and most Republicans simply appease him, just as he simply appeases Putin. But of course it’s impolite to question anything Putin says, but OK to insult and question our honorable institutions. “Oh I forgot Vlad , poisoning an old Russian and his daughter in England - great move. Very Stalinesque. Can I please have that cool soccer ball and will you autograph it for Baron?” I want Monty Python for our next leader. Just random thoughts.
I just watched the full Helsinki press conference. Donald Trump has either completely lost it mentally, or is utterly lying that he has no knowledge of Russian interference in the 2016 election cycle. He is either in monetary debt to Russian oligarchs or there is some sort of incriminating blackmail scenario behind the scenes that demands he align himself with Putin.
This is a complete outrage to any American citizen who expects a far superior performance than the treasonous lunacy of Trump in Finland. Trump's statements contradict our own intelligence reports which unilaterally confirm Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
And Republicans - you are fully responsible for this utter debacle. How dare you place this country in the hands of this crackpot. Yes, crackpot.
Let's see Donald Trump's tax returns which he refused to disclose to ascertain whether there is Russian monetary influence in his businesses.
10
And Pres. Trump should reward the media that wants to destroy him by perpetuating their narrative because why? . . . .If this interference with the 2016 election - a cataclysmic event because the candidate the elites promised would win failed - did occur, why did then-Pres. Obama allow it?
1
If it walks like a Russian agent, sits like a Russian agent, fawns over Putin like a Russian agent, makes policy like a Russian agent, hires a cabinet like a Russian agent, at what point do we just all say what he is?
Say it with me:
A RUSSIAN AGENT.
5
He is too dumb to be a Russian agent. He is just a fool they can push around. They would never trust him like an agent.
3
Where are the Patriots in the United States Congress?
Russia has declared war on us and there is NOTHING from them.
We are doomed.
Reading some of the jaw dropping comments in support of him causes me to pause. One said it was a good thing to be engaging with despots and took a page right out of his play book and deflected by blaming Obama, Clinton, and the Democrats. I’d bet my last dollar some of these comments are coming right out of Russia.
11
It is time to charge Trump, the Republicans in Congress, and the Cabinet with treason. Enough.
2
Did I hear Putin and Trump correctly?
Putin recommends that Russia/USA will develop a joint cyber security team, a previous idea from last year that Trump also suggested....
Trump confirm that the NSC of the US will meet with the Russia counterparts....
1
At least two commentators have posed that Trump is either totally incompetent or being blackmailed by Putin. I think it is probably both.
8
Imagine a President of our United States having a press conference with Osama Bin Laden, where the President says that he accepts Bin Laden's denial of attacking us, because Bin Laden has "strongly denied he did it". Wouldn't that be the most astonishing, craziest, far-fetched, unreal thing imaginable!
Umm... Except... That is exactly what pretty much happened today. There are no words. Simply no words.
2
Where will they be going on their honeymoon?
6
So what's is going to be, Republicans? Trump and the emotional payoffs he gives you by yelling at your perceived enemies or your own country?
3
I cannot believe that Trump is still refusing to believe his own Intel agencies. The evidence is clear that Putin/Russia interfered in our elections. And, they will continue to help Trump in 2018 and 2020.
Trump needs to be fired now!!! Other democracies have not taken such things lightly. Americans are too darn passive. Rise up America and stop the sabotage!!
6
There is no way Trump came up with that DNC server bit by himself just now. You’re witnessing Russian spycraft/manipulation in action there.
1
If this keeps up, it's Canada that's going to need a wall.
5
Trump divides the world into two types of people: the bullies and the bullied. To him the bullied are those who embrace democratic ideals and humanitarian values, i.e., to him, the chumps, while the bullies succeed by discarding these values, i.e winners. I shudder to think what kind of a family dynamic created such a creature, but that is water under the bridge. I wonder at what point we will look back on this moment and ask ourselves how we let this mad man who has access to so much intelligence alone in a room with Putin?
1
Congress, here are your marching orders:
US. Constitution. Article III. Section 3.
“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.”
If we have been attacked, which we have, isn’t that the definition of being in a “state of war”? Trump’s public comments disparaging our own agencies is the real disgrace. Putin, if you are listening, show us the Kompromat.
5
Putin makes a suggestion that Russian intelligence agency can work with our intelligence and law enforcement to find out who interfered in election. He offered to question the twelve military people who were indicted. Yeah. Sure. Right. Those twelve people will never be found. They have been eliminated by Putin so they will never be found. That is how he works and no triumphant holding of the World Cup or meeting the US traitor will change that.
2
The best weapon we have against this traitorous, lying coward and his meek, subservient minions is our vote. Each and everyone of us who believes in decency, honesty, and what this country was founded on and what the constitution stands for must show up at the polls in November; because, I can assure you, his followers will. It's time to end this debacle and get our country back on its feet. Granted, it could take years to repair our global standing and damaged relationships with our allies, but it must be done, it is up to us, and it has to begin soon.
5
Ca 3:07 p.m. Well, Trumpeteers, you can be proud. Trump did get his marching orders today from Putin. And he's become a Russian. The "No Collusion" mantra isn't going away anytime soon. Sad.
6
Our elections were attacked by Russian Intelligence, and President Trump sides with Russia; pure, simple treason by Trump. We are not all to blame. It was the Russians.
1
Talk about a backstabber!!!
Anyone who works for this administration and has an ounce of dignity and respect for the country they claim to love should quit right now.
Let's see who does.
2
As far as I can see, Trumpists aren't going to take an honest look at this guy until he bends over during a State of the Union speech, his pants split, and about a hundred and twenty-seven thick gold rubles with Putin's face on them come spilling out and roll around.
And even then, I have the sneaking suspicion that it's STILL going to be Clinton's or Obama's fault.
1
Every American who values our democracy and its institutions should be - at the very least - calling their Senators and Representatives and protesting this traitor and his accomplices! And then get your protest signs ready to hit the streets. We should not let our UK and Finnish allies outdo us. It's OUR country, OUR government! At least today.
5
Trump has a problem with the C.I.A., because the "I" stands for "Intelligence", a term that is unfamiliar and threatening to him. He probably hates the F.B.I., because he thinks that "I" also stands for "Intelligence". Just wait, soon our dear leader will ban the use of all capital I's.
Thank you GOP.
1
Keep asking: Who is he working for?
4
With mo' foes in the EU than you can shake a stick at, and with the rigged intelligence community in the us, what could be done to maga but sidle up to a sworn enemy.
The decision is clear: Vote Trump...
Or vote America.
Americans might want to give a thought to their CIA agents in the field. After all, who can know what highly compromising intel may have changed hands during this morning's tête-à-tête?
2
No wonder Vladimir keeps smirking.. a weak EU that needs his gas supplies, and a UK that is so desperate for trade deals we will agree to pretty much anything by anyone .. The only person who could potentially stand up to this is your president, because Putin really fears US power, but his maneuvering has put a puppet in power who isn't smart enough to see he is being manipulated. I would also suggest Obama is partly to blame here as he was equally weak when faced with Putin and i think this has further ennobled Netanyahu to act in a similar brazen fashion, if he feels like he is answerable to no-one why should he stop ??
3
A man so desperate to appear strong keeps revealing himself before all the world as a weakling and a dupe.
1
So Putin has political rivals and journalists murdered but when he says he didn't meddle in the U.S. election we should certainly believe him because he's a real stand-up guy.
It's obvious the Russians have developed an advanced posthypnotic weapon that's planted on a willing money-grubbing Trump, activated once he is in the White House. The nation is not safe.
1
The GOP is still preoccupied by all the kneeling for the anthem to notice how DJT disgraced our nation.
7
Trump is acting out his claim that he can go down onto 5th Ave. and shoot someone, and 'receive nothing but praise from his immense crowd of followers'.
Of course, until McConnell gets his fill of rightwing Supreme Court justices, we might as well face that Trump, one of the the most unlikely humans, is our dictator.
1
Trump’s bizarreness goes from Saturday Night Live to Monty Python.
TRUMP/PUTIN 2020
We might as well get used to it now.
1
Putin and his aides debrief session: Uncontrolled laughing and high-5's for hours on end.
1
I really can't believe we have such an egotistical dolt for president. President's Xie, King Jong Un and now Putin - all of whom he has an amazing and fantastic relationship must be stunned at his idiocy. And then thankful that we have given them such a gift to help them further their own interests.
And as I pray that the damage done by this buffoon is limited, I wonder how so many previous hawks can enable this clown. Where are his advisors - John Bolton (scares me to write that) and Mike Pompeo? Where is Lindsay Graham and Marco Rubio? Why isn't Dick Cheney making the rounds on the talk shows? We all knew what we were getting with Trump. But for these so called hawks to become so deaf, dumb and blind is utterly reprehensible.
1
I noticed that trump managed to not walk in front of putin.
4
Overheard in Helsinki:
Trump: Helsinki's a great city. I'm thinking of buying property here.
Putin: I'm thinking of annexing it.
1
Vlad's word is gold. Let's just take him at his word. Instead of the Manchurian Candidate, we have the Siberian President. The EU and the free press are his enemies. What a disgrace to the office of President of the United States. If this isn't treason, I don't know what else would be.
2
I never thought for a moment he would stand up for his country at this meeting. It was quite predictable. But now as the meeting has concluded I have, as I have from the outset think he is the most dangerous threat to our country; not Putin. This is so because Putin is using this traitor as a puppet on strings to undermine our democracy and our alliances with NATO. Where are the Republicans? They are hiding under a table somewhere with their tails between their legs. I can understand Putin having something over this treasonous President but where are our leaders? Where is the outrage? Why isn’t this person who is in theory our President being arrested for betraying the American public and all that it stands for. I really fear for this country. I call upon all concerned people to raise your voices and get your Democratically elected officials to take action and stand up to this outright traitor. God save America!
5
Trump admires Putin because Putin has established a sham democracy, with a government focused on Putin's personal enrichment. That is Trump's dream for America, destroy our heritage and enrich himself. Following the fascist playbook of distracting his supporters with racist scapegoating of immigrants.
5
What truly troubles me is how confident Putin is. Why is it okay for his Manchurian Candidate to be so glaringly obvious? Why don't they make at least some effort to hide what's happening? Is he that sure that the Republican congress will never take steps to defend their country from treason?
9
It seems that Barack Obama was the last American President.
4
Yes, Trump has committed treason. Why has the Republican Party betrayed American and given our country into Russian serfdom?
Trump is completely self-serving. Of course he doesn't want to believe his own government's reports about Russian interference; then he would have to admit that he became President through subterfuge. Insulting his own country and commending the enemy -- how treasonous can he be? At what point do the checks and balances kick in towards this venal man?
2
During the Q/A session Trump has taken a firm tack on US intelligence agencies: they produce fake news. When they indict him he will ask Putin for help in making his case against FBI, CIA, NSA, etc...
2
Trump's "what happened to the server?," was delivered eerily similar to Capt Queeg's "Who stole the strawberries?"
1
John McCain - one of "the most disgraceful performances in memory" by a U.S. President.
1
45 avoided rebuking Puti on Russia's involvement in the US 2016 election, several other national elections in Europe, poisoning people in England with Soviet-era military grade nerve agent, grabbing Crimea, supporting a tyrant in Syria, getting directly involved in a "civil" war in Ukraine.
Nothing, 45 rebuked Puti about nothing.
What do the patriotic Republicans conclude from this?
3
Two years ago Hillary Clinton called Trump “Putin’s Puppet”.
Trump isn’t even trying to pretend otherwise.
Benedict Arnold today is alive and well!!
What is this "meddling"? Is this like "interference" (quoting your reporter)? We know it's not "collusion" on the word of our so-called President of the United States. With just what we know already, one might expect the best term to be Criminal Activity, as it is clearly against the law. And in this case, not just a Misdemeanor, but a High Crime--or Treason.
And the criminal part is clearly with criminal intent by a master criminal. Are the Republicans part of this from the beginning? Is their chief funder, the NRA (outside of fossil fuel barons), also guilty of taking money from the Russians? And Cambridge Analytica, set up by right wing mega-donors: there sole purpose/method was to use stolen facebook user profiles to target potential voters, fb users, with false and divisive political advertising; did the Republicans use this information the same way as the Russians. Nice for them if they can get the media to focus on the Russians instead of their own complicity and criminal liability, if that be the case.
What is criminal activity? Is it the Compromise of 1877, where northern states agreed to let southern states ignore the emancipation of slaves (with chain gangs), and the Right to Vote and the Due Process clauses in the Constitution? With Trump appointees on the Court, we are seeing a repeat of this by today's white racists and neo-Nazis through the upholding of voter restriction laws and gerrymandering.
And we still have rising CO2 and 30,000 gun deaths/yr.
3
Trump loves dictators. He would rather belittle and blame the US people and system of government than upset his friend Putin. Nothing short of treason.
1
We were attacked by Putin and Russia! This is without question.
From this moment on we need to refer to this abomination of a man as "Traitor Trump". He is a modern day Benedict Arnold.
Supported by the GOP (Gushing Over Putin).
Mind-boggling, truly mind-boggling.
2
Trump will get the benefit of doubt from his base because Russia is one of the few countries that is almost all white.
9
It's serious. No matter how or why Trump acted the way he did today. It's serious and borders on treason. Impeachment has to be considered, not after November, but right now. Republicans where are you. Talk is cheap. This is the Manchurian Candidate in real time. Trump is a puppet of our first and foremost enemy. Angela Lansbury and Paul Harvey are alive and well and living somewhere in Washington and Moscow.
10
He doesn't know who to believe—our own intelligence services or the murdering dictator?!?!?!
This is too far. If Republican lawmakers won't rein him in now, when he's doing so much damage to alliances we need and cuddling up to a despot who has recently attacked us, what on earth would get their attention?
Shame on them!
6
Our Commander in Chief meets with 001 of the Russian spy network and berates the FBI and our entire intelligence apparatus, all to defend himself. He swallows Putin's lies that they will cooperate in any investigation into the election, in defense of himself. He calls all our allies, economic and military, "foes," despite the fact that nearly all American business that engage in international trade partner with Europe in one way or another and NATO has supported every US military intervention around the globe since the 50's.
Let that sink in then ask yourself whether this man an be trusted.
The GOP is a co-conspirator in treason.
1
So this must be what it felt like in the 60's in East Germany, Czechoslovakia Yugoslavia and other eastern European states when you see a televised press conference with your country's Russian puppet and Nikita Khrushchev lying to you over and over and over again. This is sickening. What happened to the America that I grew up in.
1
I think it's time we got the Air Force One back home. Empty.
1
Arrest Trump when he steps off of Air Force One and jail him for the treasonous act of diminishing the United States and calling our intelligence agencies liars for outing the Russian hacking of the 2016 election.
4
After all, Putin has so much integrity.
I am beginning to get scared. Trump has committed an act of treason! Why is Congress not starting impeachment procedures? What is going on? Something very big and very nasty is what is going on. Trump needs to go now! And I don't trust Pence either nor do I trust Congress.
3
maga or treason (depending on your persuasion) makes for mind-blowing reality tv.
eventually, even that won't be enough.
I remember on 9/11 thinking of December 7th, and realizing that "September 11th" would also hold lasting significance. Now add to it today's date -- July 16th -- as a date which will last in infamy.
"live in infamy"
Meanwhile neither Congress nor the various states seem to have registered the fact that this country is and has been under cyber attack since before the 2016 elections. Our legislators are doing nothing to protect the midterm elections -- and why should they -- most of their districts are secure gerrymandered places and will continue to be that way as long as the SCOTUS remains in Conservative hands.
You are missing the bigger story. Putin admitted US/Russian collusion to fix the price of oil and gas at artificially high levels, and to keep the industry strong. Their joint failure, at the same time, to mention the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels, means that the earth will continue to warm for decades to come, dooming much life on the planet. I'd have thought that was a MUCH bigger story than a few Russian hackers hurting a failed Dem candidate.
On campaign trail Trump pretty much Invites/asks Russian government to “find” allegedly (by Republicans) classified emails of his opponent. The Very Next Day Russian government attempts to do just that - totally illegally and using fraud to do so. How is that not colluding or consulting, or at least an attempt to do so?
If man A tells man B that he “hopes” that B will murder A’s wife, and the next day B does murder A’s wife, wouldn’t a District Attorney be derelict for not preparing an indictment of A? Especially if a Grand Jury already indicted the guy A encouraged to commit a high crime or misdemeanor?
Trump likes to brag about the size of his audiences - how many millions of audience members witnessed Trump encourage the Russian government to commit a serious crime against Americans and America?
2
Didn’t mean “consulting” but conspiring.
1
"A shining new era
Is tip-toeing nearer"
-Scar, "Be Prepared" song, (from "The Lion King.")
2
Wrong. He said he did NOT believe that Russia meddled. He said he believed Putin over his own countries intelligence agencies.
2
Donald Trump needs republicans to control congress for him to continue to rule without challenge. To that end, he discusses with Putin how he will help ensure midterm votes are counted the Russian way. Influencing voters wouldn't be enough for the midterm election as it was for the presidential one.
Who still thinks Donald Trump wouldn't use all tools at his disposals?
4
The president's confidence in the truthfulness of his new BBF is inversely proportionate to Americans' confidence in the truth of everything the president says to us. It's not surprising, but it doesn't diminish that it's remarkable! It's also appalling.
Whether or not Trump is actively trying to harm the United States he is clearly putting his personal business interests first. That is a definition of treason.
13
Whether or not he is actively trying to harm the United States, he is an inept president who is blundering catastrophically with his remarks. Ever hear of death by one thousand cuts? Mr. Trump is cutting his own country, one remark at a time. And the Republicans - McConnell, Gowdy (oh so tough!), all of them - are watching us bleed. Hey, maybe they think it's the River of Blood... Redemption!
America, for the love of God, VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6. VOTE!!!!!
1
After witnessing Trump's display at the podium with President Putin, reassuring Putin as he praised Putin's actions and seemingly tried to instill some peace of mind in our historical adversary, well maybe that explains Trump's behavior these past two years. Trump must believe the Nobel Prize he has the opportunity to claim is the Nobel Peace of Mind Award.
Trump has stated on many occasions that he doesn’t know Putin personally and has only met him a few times. So if that were true, then when he says he trusts Putin more than the collective opinion of all US intelligence agencies, he’s basically saying he trusts someone he doesn’t really know more than his own government.
Although I’ve never supported him, I never really thought he was actually a Russian mole, until now. He needs to be removed from office and tried for treason immediately.
6
Regarding Russian interference in the election...
Mr. Putin said: “President Trump mentioned the so-called interference of Russia in the American elections. I had to reiterate things I said several times: that the Russian state has never interfered, and is not going to interfere, in internal American affairs, including the election process.”
He (Putin) offered to have Russian intelligence agencies work with their American counterparts to get to the bottom of the matter.
“What he did is an incredible offer,” Mr. Trump said. “He offered to have the people working on the case come and work with their investigators with respect to the 12 people. I think that’s an incredible offer.
If that's what you want to call it. Actually he's just asking you to let the Fox into the Hen House and it seems you are ready to hold the door open for him.
Treason!
Our President and Commander-in-Chief, after having insulted many of our European allies, with this press conference just insulted our own intelligence community and all who serve in the Armed Forces. Whatever it is Putin has on him must be too good to be true. Our President doesn't admire Putin (except perhaps for his wealth), he is 'hugely' scared of him.
Call it what you will: Trump is betraying his country and its people. There used to be consequences for this sort of behavior. Our own history shows that there were people who suffered severe punishment for less-much less.
We must hope that the American translator in the room is a true patriot and will report what passed between Putin and Trump.
1
The Helsinki Trump-Putin press conference is so far the clearest evidence of Trump’s state of mind – it is deeply treasonous. The fact that this instance of treason takes place in plain view does not make the act less treasonous. If you have any doubts, read the following:
Legal Dictionary:
Treason, n. the crime of betraying one's country, defined in Article III, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution: "Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, OR in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort."... Treason may include "espionage" (spying for a foreign power or doing damage to the operation of the government and its agencies, particularly those involved in security)…
Treason is punishable by death. The English common law required defendants to forfeit all of their property, real and personal, upon conviction for treason.
I hope Mueller can apply this in appropriate legal context.
The only way to begin fixing this problem, starts in November when the democrats have the opportunity to win control of the house and the senate. Having control of at least one branch of government will allow true oversight and investigations. Everything else, including the commentaries in this section is just talk. Talk won't do it this time around.
Can there now be any doubt that Trump is Putin's puppet?
"Agent" would be more apropos.
Congratulations, America.
You've managed to end up with a Manchurian Candidate for your president. And, unlike the movie, it was done without a shot being fired.
I look forward to witnessing the bizarre spectacle, either shortly before or immediately following your next and last presidential election, of your president-for-life ripping the Constitution into pieces on nation-wide television with Putin at his side.
3
Trump was blathering about Clinton's servers and denigrating our intelligence agencies for not taking care of it. Then he said Kremlin would never let it happen.
Next thing I expected for him to say is why can't we just cut our agencies and get all the info from Kremlin. We would save tons of money. Pretty sure he thought of it.
3
Could this be the tipping point? Will his base, Fox commentators, and Republicans in Congress finally decide that Trump has gone too far, even for them?
Silly me -- I'm sorry I asked. I don't know what I was thinking.
16
What in God's name will the GOP controlled House & Senate do? Nothing? Trump's actions on this trip indicate that something is very wrong either in the thought process or mental health. Use the 25th amendment, put Pence in and protect this nation and the western world.
The low information folks on my Facebook feed ("friends" and relatives alike) continue to defend this man and strongly disagree with any criticism of him. This was not a "remarkable" meeting; it was astonishingly dumbfounding that an American president would denigrate his own agencies and fawn up to a brutal dictator. And even more astonishing that Congress has not convened a special session to address how they are going to deal with the treasonous Donald.
4
Wait a minute... why isn't this traveling spectacle being called an apology tour?
7
While most reasonably minded political observers/players---both republican and democrat--are expressing varying levels of outrage after Pres. Trump sold out America to Russia's murderous leader Vlad Putin as the whole world watched, it remains to be seen if those same republicans will do anything at all to punish or censure the president for his treason—Especially considering the thick cloud of delusion that hangs over Trump's cult-like supporters and republican establishment's timidity at confronting it.
2
I voted twice for Bill Clinton. Twice for Barack Obama. If either one of them had done 10% of the egregious things Trump has done in under 18 months, I would have called for censure at the very least, and possibly impeachment. Why am I, a lowly citizen, more outraged than Congressional Rs who seem to have nothing but their own self-interest in mind? When do we start seeing patriotic responses to Trump's abhorrent behavior?
3
What's more perfect setup could there be for a Russian handler to meet his asset?
1. No one else there.
2. The space has been swept for listening devices by the US.
3. In case US counterintelligence bugged the room, the same space was swept by the Russians.
"It's alright, everybody - nothing to worry about!"
Trump famously said that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue, and his base wouldn't care. Apologies to the innocent bystander on 5th Avenue, but what he did today was far worse than shoot someone in broad daylight. He sabotaged and undermined our country, our democracy, and our intelligence, AND our intelligence community. Will this matter to his base? Sadly, probably not. I am broken-hearted and continue to get more and more depressed every day.
2
NOW can we stop focusing on The Red Hen, Twitter spats, and self indulgent celebrities?
9
Truly remarkable. I'm not sure there ever has been or ever will be again a bigger national embarrassment to the United States than Donald Trump. He is a complete amateur and the contrast to the deft expertise of Putin couldn't be more stark. It's chalk and cheese. If I was an American I would be deeply concerned.
1
Hey -- what was that document that was in the hands of a press corp man, and another man came to him and tried to snatch it out of his hands! Yes! The whole press corp saw it happening (not one person offered to save the document, however). Then, some tough guys came out and pushed him out of the room, exiting behind the flags.
Was it the transcript of the Trump-Putin tete a tete?
7
I wonder when we will fly the white flag, then the Russian flag over the white house and other US Government buildings...Now that DJT has surrendered to the Russians it seems more appropriate than flying the stars and stripes. Hearing the United States President say "I hold both countries responsible" for the current tensions is akin to FDR saying we deserved the attack at Pearl Harbor in December 1941. I can't see how any member of Congress, from either party, cannot speak up, or how anyone in the cabinet who has any brains of their own can not be preparing their resignation or reading Section 4 of the 25th amendment.
"Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President."
This man has committed a treasonous act. He needs to be impeached, and then indicted for selling our souls to the devil....
America props up Putin? Are you serious? He's been our boogeyman no.1 for as long as I can remember. It’s the Oligarchic Kleptocratic Despots who don’t follow orders from Washington and Wall Street that are the problem, right? The ones in Saudi Arabia and the UAE - they get the red carpet treatment when they visit the United States, from both MSNBC and FOX, from Apple and ExxonMobil, they’re welcomed with open arms, regardless of their war crimes in Yemen or their raiding their national treasuries to buy $500 million yachts. . .
4
Whatever mistakes America made elsewhere and before, Trump is giving props to Putin now.
Oligarchich Kleptocratic Despot is ine of the better descriptions of Putin I've seen, actually. As for the Saudis, gosh, I seem to recall Trump smiling at a certain glowing orb..
1
I, like most of the commenters, agree this is shameful. Most of the comments seem to rely, falsely, that Trump supporters will see the disgrace that has happened, and vote accordingly. What we need to realize is that Trump is a cult figure, and his supporters, sheep to the slaughter. There are far too many who can't even recognize that they are constantly being lied to, let alone make an informed judgement on the facts presented from an actual news source.
7
Trump has betrayed our country. His behavior towards our EU allies was abominable. His performance today needs to be addressed by the Congress, the Congress which will undoubtedly hear from it's country's constituents. I want Trump out of the White House, his actions today are treasonous. Disgraceful for this President of the United States.
When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
Trump should resign immediately.
3
I would like to see the heads of the CIA, NSA and FBI resign simultaneously. As they obviously do not have the presidents's trust, that is the only honourable thing to do at this point.
1
Perhaps he can find replacements in the FSB and SVR.
Trump sold out to Russia and her oligarchs long ago. Russian rubles own Trump. Now Trump is selling out on the American people.
1
I'd like to know more about Putin's idea. Perhaps eradication of the US Cyber Command and the NSA to promote cyber peace in the world? Perhaps total denuclearization of the US?
3
Mueller has got to have enough to arrest Trump on the tarmac when Air Force One lands back in the US (perhaps including a tape of the Putin-Trump private meeting). If the lights are flashing red on continued Russian election interference and Trump is clearly acting in the best interest of our foremost adversary, Mueller can tie up the loose ends after Trump is safely in a prison cell.
Well, if Putin said Russia didn't do it, I'm sure we can trust him. In fact, I don't know why we bothered to investigate. We could've just asked Vlad.
2
Trump's relationship with Putin is not unlike Smithers' relationship with Mr. Burns.
2
It is very strange that Putin seems pro-American and desires peace as Trump vilifies fellow Americans and our allies.
Well I don’t know what I find most dispiriting and discouraging: that we actually have this guy as chief executive of our country or that a substantial number of my fellow Americans cheer for him. At the end of any given week since Trump took office, I really think it’s the revelation that so many people could be so utterly ignorant and small-minded to support him that really kicks the pins out from under me.
And don’t look now, but he could be re-elected. Don’t think so? Get out into the middle of the country and have breakfast at a diner. Have a beer in a rural saloon. Or just go into a community of Russian immigrants and ask what they think of Trump. (They overwhelmingly love him.)
This populist wave is extremely discouraging. It’s like watching your country jump over a cliff.
3
Like Fox News, Trump is only being fair and balanced between believing U.S. intelligence and the KGB's Putin. After all, it's their voluminous evidence against his word of honor. How could Trump possibly know who is telling the truth?
3
"Fine people on both sides," no doubt.
Benedict Arnold was a pussycat compared to Traitor Trump. His performances at the Helsinki news conference and all his prior meetings - NATO and Prime Minister Theresa May - are glaringly those of a man so intellectually, emotionally and morally impaired that hanging him would be a violation of his human rights.
Where do we go from here? Hello, Republican Party, FBI, CIA and the rest of the intel community, US Congress, Democratic Party, One Percenter American oligarchs, newspapers and other media? What happens now?
Where is our enfeebled democracy, our sovereignty, our treaties, and our moral commitment? Gone with the wind? The wind produced by Traitor Trump? Are we at the point where our country can only be saved by Robert Mueller, Esq.? It appears that way. There is no constitutional crisis here. Only a national debasement of moral compass and the degradation of the presidency. The man responsible is Donald Trump and all who support him.
We need a not-so-silent revolution to take back this corrupted democracy and shape it into something better than it has been for the past 250 years. We need to see justice done, our citizens protected, and our humanity always on display. Trump has drunk the Novachok cocktail in Helsinki. The rest of us will suffer.
The interesting thing about this debacle is that Trump had no problem looking subservient to Putin on the world stage. If he was smarter, he would keep us in suspense. Instead, he puts the treason out there for all of us to see.
8
What does justice look like for this debacle? What is appropriate justice for a president who is, at best, completely ineffective and at worst actively traitorous, as well as all of his enablers in the Republican party? Removal from office and a slap on the wrist? Pardon? Jail time? The scale of the transgressions are just too big to put into perspective.
Not answering the direct question of whom he believes, Putin or the US Intelligence Agencies, makes it very clear. He swore his allegiance to America not Russia. He has got to go now!
So 43% (Gallup) of Americans approve of a President who is is actively working to destroy his country. Can someone explain please?
5
Can NYT please ask Bolton, Mattis, Pompeo, Coats and Kelly for their take on Trump’s responses during the Putin presser? Did they know Trump would choose Putin’s word over their security intelligence? Can they describe the view from so far under the bus?
17
It's never about America it's always about trump and his victory. Putin is well aware of trump's fragile ego, by Putin claiming that there was no interference just plays into trump's ego driven fantasy. Unfortunately for our country trump is our President and we were attacked and our President is too stuck in his own image to see it. Very sad state of affairs the President doesn't see, his voters don't hear and republicans in Congress are mum, the GOP should be replaced by the three monkeys:hear no evil see no evil and don't speak when there's evil.
I guess if this performance doesn't move Congress to impeachment, nothing will. Not one Republican has the guts to call out Trump's traitorous behavior. That's the "collusion" that bothers me even more than Trump's internal graft and corruption machine.
1
I very much hope there will be a full Department of State/CIA debrief of the US translator present in the 1-on-1 meeting.
So we are expected to simply believe that the serial liar Trump asked the murderer Putin about election meddling. Integrity is not a word that can be associated with either of these grifters. The really important question is exactly how much involvement did trump and his associates have in the process. It is all Obama's fault of course. Cant imagine it will be long before Mr. non accountability in his weasely way assigns accountability to anyone but himself.
This man is compromised - no doubt about it.
12
We are witnessing treason on the grandest scale in history. There is no question that Trump is compromised; the only question is how long it will take decent conservatives to do their duty and act against a clear and present danger to the nation. How anyone—regardless of political ideology or affiliation—can support this conman and criminal is beyond me. Donald Trump belongs in prison, not the White House.
Trump trumps everyone with his power of NO (denial).
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He turns ON the media with NO. It has worked for him for a year and a half.
But this Putin - Trump denial by the President may have been his last laugh.
As Lincoln put it:
"You can fool all of the people so of the time, and Some of the people, all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people, all of the time."
Have we reached the tipping point of TRUTH for Trump?
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Oh, great! Not only is trump denying the Russians interfered in the election...but also, approving the offer for them to come over here and help our counterintel agencies prove it...thus, giving the ruskies more access to our intelligence just in case they missed something.
Can this electoral college president get more ridiculous?
1
Ridiculous? Ridiculous? That's far too favourable.
1
Mr. Trump, habitual liars and pathological personalities can “powerfully” deny the truth, especially if they have a lot riding on their answers. That’s why meetings like this are not held in secrecy, and whatever is said is met with the utmost skepticism until it is thoroughly vetted. (Remember Ronald Reagan’s comment? No, you probably don’t.)
Taking Vladimir Putin at his word for anything is a fool’s errand, regardless of how many adverbs and adjectives are used to “prove” his sincerity.
1
Trump continues to bring shame to this great country and dishonor to the Office of the Presidency. A very sad chapter in U.S. history. The way to fix his mess is to VOTE in November and put a stop to the complicit behavior of the Republican Party which is afraid of their own shadow and knows no shame.
1
Drama to distract us from upcoming court cases.
Who in their right mind thinks that having the Russians help us with the election meddling investigation is an "interesting idea?"
Make America Great Again, Mr. Trump? With such a display of your weakness! Trump made history today. No US president has ever stooped down to kowtow to a foreign adversary like Trump did to Putin today. Not even Carter. Obama pushed back against him, short of getting us into a war over Crimea. He isolated Putin politically and economically. Bush just looked into Putin's soul but he never chose sides. Trump picked Putin over us. Trump is a weakling and an appeaser. He would have you think that the USA is a great failure, and Russia, a third rate power with a teetering economy, is the great success. How dare a President of the United States take the word of a Russian despot and denigrate the very Americans who protect our security. Russia is engaged in cyberwarfare far more deadly in its potential consequences than any terror attack. Yet he takes Putin's word over his own people. American people. Trump's slogan should be Make Russia Great Again, because that's what he is doing.
Trump is clearly grateful for Putin's help in the election and see no problem with his continued support into the next election. I don't understand why the press keeps asking about Trump confronting Putin about interference. A better question is whether Trump thanked Putin and what Trump promised Putin for help in the next election. Trump, the great negotiator, has botched health care and immigration, signed Congress's tax reform that explodes the deficit, started trade wars, and abdicated the US position as the leader and moral authority for the free world. And Republicans continue to support him because he is willing to gut environmental and safety regulations for the short term benefit of businesses at the expense of consumers, and is trying to appoint a Supreme Court justice who support that crusade. But is the short business gain worth destroying the system that has lead to prosperity since WW2.
9
It's not funny anymore. This rogue president has attacked American institutions of democracy and justice one time too many. Republicans, are you Americans? Prove it. Do your duty and remove this dangerous man from office.
17
I can't believe there isn't a record of this meeting. Russia hacked the DNC, Hilary's emails, and more, and the CIA can't slip a microphone in there?
9
What was it Rex Tillerson said? I pray that some Republicans come out now for the sake of your country. Maybe some who have left politics if those in power can’t bear to go against this treasonous bully. America you’re losing it!
7
Not one conservative can ever part their lips to claim a Democratic president gave an "apology tour"
No one ever........
8
For anyone who wants to Make America Great Again, there is only one way to deal with Vladimir Putin: as an enemy of the United States.
13
Pretty much how a number of the German citizens feel about Merkel and her invasion from the south.
I'll say it again
November 2016: Putin Won, American Lost
7
Trump is an absolute disgrace to America. His treason is on display for all of the world to see. Trump states that he believes the words of a former KGB agent rather than the FBI. This demonstrates his treason and his comtempt for America. He must be impeached.
14
Russia won the cold war finally! America will freeze.
6
America cannot accept Trump standing next to Putin, an enemy of America,
and trashing everything American.
This is openly a traitors action, that needs to be punished by the law.
John Brennon (ex-CIA Director) has called out Trump as a traitor.
11
When is Congress and the media not calling out Trump as a Traitor?
1
Trump is a traitor to American values.
1
John Brennan is right. President Trump as officially crossed the line everyone feared he would cross in Helsinki. He's a traitor and should be impeached and removed.
23
Mitch McConnell, Paul Rya , where are you? Is this what the Koch, Mercers, etc intended for America when they bought our Congress? Is this nothing but an international cabal for Oil Barons? What gives?
11
In addition to the cold war, Russia also won the world cup!
Trump got a soccer ball.
5
I think it's called a "sucker" ball
It is now absolutely clear: Trump is a real threat to the USA and the rest of the world. His performance today was a new low.
Not a word about Russia's intervention in Ukraine, not a word about the annexation od Crimea. not a word about the downing a MH17, an airliner, bij a BUK missile from Russia.
And he believes Putin over his own administration with regards to Russia's meddling in the US elections. He was even grateful for Putin's offer to cooperate with the US on the investigation, which as every child will understand can only beis obviously meaningless.
He is either extremely stupid orva traitor.
21
Not a word mentioned about Bush-Cheney's invasion of the Middle East and the firestorm that followed, either, or the killing of thousands and thousands of innocent Iraqis--more than an airliner.
How soon we forget; how convenient.
The greater war-criminal--Bush-Cheney or Putin?
1
Had enough yet america? Republicans- Ryan and McConnell- what about that pesky oath to uphold the constitution? Now's your moment folks to grow a spine and act like a legitimate elected representative rather than a party hack. Cowards all....
13
Look. Trump is only interested in post presidency real estate deals and the last thing he wants to do is gum up the works by doing something as foolish and stupid as defending our country. He has conned his supporters and is keeping the curtain pulled on his true goals. Just look at what he's done and said about his properties, his holdings and the beachfront opportunities North Korea represents to him. It won't be long after he's out of the White House before you see a Trumpsky Tower erected in Red Square.
10
Hopefully he can see it from GITMO.
Right, Putin is going to "question" his Russian operatives. Is Trump really that stupid or is this just part of the coverup? He wanted a private meeting so he could get his next instructions first hand, no doubt about it. Trump is clearly in thrall to the Russians and it only remains to find out why. He is clearly a traitor to the USA. Trumpers, you are responsible for this disaster. As long as Trump keeps helping Putin covering up Russian interference in our elections, the longer our democracy is tainted. Trump is not a legitimate president.
10
In the up coming election a vote for an R is a vote for Russia.
12
what the heck did I just witness? What is going on?
17
Putin's expression went through a series of "ments" - bemusement - to amazement and then finally to amusement. Like Hitler with Neville Chamberlin he could not believe he could come across such a sap.
My Taylor grandfather fought in WW1 (wounded three times) my Taylor father fought in WW2 (D-day landings) and as a boy in the 60s I confidently expected to one day be fighting the Russians. The latter thankfully did not happen.
But Trump is dangerous now. This is no longer a joke. Putin has ambitions in Eastern Europe. If he thinks the US will let him get away with it he will go for it. Hitler thought that if he invaded Poland, England would not fight (we had a Polish alliance) He was wrong - he got Churchill and not Chamberlin. But 20 million people eventually died as the result of that mistake. My grandson was 18 on 29th June - I do not want Trump getting us into yet another bloody European War
9
Trump sides with a foreign state against U.S. intelligence? In what way is this not treason? Putin offers to have his own intelligence people work with our people to "get to the bottom of the matter"? What?? As soon as Putin got back to his own office and out of sight he must have been rolling on the floor laughing.
It's time to stop saying that Trump is just naive and stupid. He is a threat to our national security, and if he really doesn't know what he's doing, it's time to stop him from doing anything.
8
Why does DJT hate America? He supports Russia over USA. He supports China's ZTE over USA companies and USA security. He support Turkey when Erdogan's thugs beat up US citizens ON US SOIL.
Disgraceful
18
It boggles my mind that hundreds of thousands citizens in the UK took to the streets protesting our traitor-in-chief yet Americans sit idly by witnessing the tearing down of our allys and press. Such apathy will be rewarded sooner or later.
9
This man would give up America's sovereignty just because he was humiliated by a black man at the White House Correspondents Dinner and beaten by a woman in the popular vote.
It is that and nothing more that animates this dangerous criminal's actions.
10
American's no longer have a President that represents this country. Maybe this...impostor should just stay at his Scottish Golf course! But wait, the Scots don't want him either. An Island Atoll in the Pacific Ocean would be appropriate for such a loner, loser. I vote to impeach early and often.
4
I am a dual American and Canadian citizen. Although my whole current life is in Canada, I remain staunchly committed and interested in the welfare of the U.S. What has taken place here has put me near tears, and made me livid. The photograph of Trump and Putin standing side by side is Trump's ultimate triumph: looks like a dictator, talks like a dictator, stands side by side with a dictator and exonerates him the way he exonerates himself. Once he was elected, like a little wind-up toy he headed straight in this direction. This has gone way beyond scandal. And the collusion of the Republican Congress stands nakedly exposed by their attempts to obstruct and terminate the investigation into these crimes. Juxtapose this photograph, these words from Trump, against what we saw only a week ago when Trey Gowdy and others were castigating one of the head investigators of the Russian interference in the election. Comey, McCabe, Strzok may have made mistakes in relation to politics, but their efforts to protect the US were sterling. Yet in this upside down Trump world, they are the criminals, Europeans are the foes, Putin the friend and the American public vassals. If the Republican Congress does not wish to get sucked down the drain in this deluge of infamy, they had better start impeachment proceedings right away.
19
I've recently been mesmerized by 'The Americans', a TV series, in which US-based KGB illegal operatives seek to undermine the United States. It's gripping, albeit a little far-fetched. But it pales in comparison to the performance of Trump - and his KGB handler (?) - today. I was left looking like a member of the audience watching 'Springtime for Hitler' in Mel Brooks's 'The Producers.' What next? 'Springtime for Putin?'
9
The DNC was warned that they may be hacked, and still fell victim to a scheme like those originating from a Nigerian con man. Like taking candy from a baby.
Total lack of diligence.
If you accidentally leave your door unlocked and someone enters your home and robs and/or assaults you, shouldn't the perpetrators still be brought to justice?
This was more than "accidentally leaving a door unlocked". They were tricked into giving up passwords that allowed access to their systems.
More like giving your car keys to a stranger, who then drives it away, never to be seen again