Trump taking advisor with Russian state TV ties to first classified briefing

One of the advisors accompanying Donald Trump to his first classified briefing on Wednesday regularly appears on the Russian state television channel RT and spoke at at its 10th anniversary event, the Huffington Post reported.

Trump will be joined at the briefing by former Defense Intelligence Agency chief Michael Flynn. Flynn has been a supporter of the real estate mogul's presidential campaign, and spoke at the Republican National Convention last month.

As Politico reported, Flynn sat two seats away from Russian President Vladimir Putin at the event for RT, which was formerly known as Russia Today.

"It was extremely odd that [Flynn] showed up in a tuxedo to the Russian government propaganda arm’s party," said an anonymous source, described as a former Pentagon official.

Earlier this year, Flynn was reportedly being considered as a running mate for Trump. Vox described him as having "an odd affection" for Putin's administration.

Both Flynn and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who will also accompany Trump to the meeting, required a special security clearance prior to the meeting, which will not include details on ongoing US covert operations or intelligence-gathering methods.

"It's intended to be an overview of the hotspots around the globe,”" said David Priess, a former CIA official. "It's not intended to be absolutely comprehensive."