Ever since Donald Trump announced that he was running for president, questions have been raised over what his relationship has been with Russia. As the president continues with his foreign trip through Asia, Trump decided to attack his critics who continued to put attention on Russia's interference in the election.
Trump on Russia
Not long after kicking off his campaign for president back in the summer of 2015, Donald Trump was forced to deal with growing speculation about his ties to foreign countries due to his history with international business.
The first domino to fall came in the form of Paul Manafort, the former campaign manager who was forced to resign after his financial link to the Kremlin was made public. In the months that followed, Trump caused even more questions to be raised by refusing to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also keeping his tax returns hidden from the public. After the former host of "The Apprentice" shocked the world by winning the general election over Hillary Clinton, he was met with even more trouble in regards to Russia. In the weeks that followed after Election Day, several well-respected news outlets and government agencies confirmed that Russia hacked into the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 election with the goal of electing Trump.
As expected, Trump and Russia have denied any wrongdoing, but critics say otherwise. As of press time, an investigation into Russian interference has uncovered that several former and current associates of Trump have ties back to the Kremlin, with Manafort, his assistant, and former campaign aid George Papadopoulos being hit with charges.
Fast forward to present day and Trump is standing his growing, elaborating further during a pair of tweets on November 11.
Met with President Putin of Russia who was at #APEC meetings. Good discussions on Syria. Hope for his help to solve, along with China the dangerous North Korea crisis. Progress being made.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017
As seen on his Twitter feed on Saturday night, Donald Trump lashed out at his critics by defending his relationship with Russia and his recent interaction with Vladimir Putin.
"Met with President Putin of Russia who was at APEC meetings. Good discussions on Syria. Hope for his help to solve, along with China the dangerous North Korea crisis," Trump tweeted out, while adding, "Progress being made."
When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There always playing politics - bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2017
In his second tweet on the matter, Donald Trump got more personal by hitting back against those who say he had been in cahoots with Russia. "When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing," Trump posted.
"There always playing politics - bad for our country," he continued, while stating, "I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!"
Next up
Donald Trump and the White House still deny their involvement with Russia, labeling reports that say otherwise as "fake news." With Trump about to wrap up his time in Asia, only time will tell what happens next with the president and the current investigation into Russia.