Trump Reportedly Opened Putin Meeting By Asking About Election Interference, And Other Trump News From Friday
Friday. July 7. Day 168.
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Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson Says Trump Opened Meeting With Election Interference: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters Friday that President Trump opened their meeting by asking Vladimir Putin about Russia's alleged interference in US election. Putin reportedly denied any interference.
Trump-Putin Meeting Lasts Four Times Longer Than Scheduled: In their first formal meeting, President Trump and Vladimir Putin talked for 2 hours and 20 minutes, roughly four times longer than scheduled. Before the talks, Putin and Trump sat for the press. Trump said, "We've had some very, very good talks. We're going to have a talk now and obviously that will continue. We look forward to a lot of very positive things happening for Russia and for the United States and for everyone concerned." Through a translator, Putin said "We spoke over the phone… but phone conversations are never enough, definitely."
Trump To Pursue Syria Strategy That Would Leave Assad In Power And Work With The Russians: The Daily Beast reports that the Trump Administration will pursue a strategy in Syria that would leave Bashar al-Assad in power and work with the Russians to patrol parts of the country and establish "safe zones."
Trump Claims That G20 Members Are Talking About Podesta At Meeting: In a bizarre tweet this morning, President Trump claimed that G20 members were talking about John Podesta, Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, and why he "refused to give the DNC server to the FBI and the CIA." Podesta never ran the DNC.
Trump Pats Putin On Back, Says He's Looking Forward To Meeting: In their first recorded in-person interaction, President Trump patted Vladimir Putin on the back and shook his hand. The interaction came during an informal session before the official meetings of the G20.
In a tweet early this morning, Trump wrote that he was excited for his upcoming meetings, including his meeting with Vladimir Putin.
