(AFP / Brendan Smialowski)
President Donald Trump defended Russia -- and blamed China -- in his first public statement on a massive hack of the U.S. government, and the remarks still managed to shock social media users after all these years.
The president has repeatedly defended Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, throughout his presidency and political campaigns, and his ties to the Kremlin were investigated at length by special counsel Robert Mueller -- but he even took their side after cybersecurity experts and high-ranking government officials blamed Russia for the hack of at least six government agencies.
The tweet somehow managed to provoke shock and outrage, despite all that's taken place throughout the Trump presidency involving Russia.
Russia could nuke an American city and Trump would apologize on their behalf. He works for them, not us, always has… https://t.co/NLcvjtkQ7s— NoelCaslerComedy (@NoelCaslerComedy)1608396606.0
The president of the United States is a national security threat— Robert Maguire (@Robert Maguire)1608397817.0
He is captive. https://t.co/gjB6V9rpVH— Shannon Ragland (@Shannon Ragland)1608397943.0
Whatever Putin has on Trump, you can be sure it’s far more devastating than a mere golden shower recording. He is,… https://t.co/2TL6eBQi3B— Leah McElrath 🏳️🌈 (@Leah McElrath 🏳️🌈)1608396671.0
even after his SecState points to Russia, Trump tries to absolve Russia for cyber hack consistent pattern of his p… https://t.co/PboUQIDGta— John Harwood (@John Harwood)1608398021.0
The president knows he has to toe the line if he ever wants to give the US the slip for a life in, say, Sochi — so… https://t.co/TKMbVG1Dn8— Greg Greene (@Greg Greene)1608397413.0
Seriously what's the deal with Trump and Russia? While the Mueller investigation certainly didn't exonerate Trump o… https://t.co/ch5dru8s34— The face toucher (@The face toucher)1608396654.0
Now the president is not just silent on Russia and the hack. He is deliberately running defense for the Kremlin by… https://t.co/mzfcoNDZ9A— Jim Sciutto (@Jim Sciutto)1608395760.0
The President of the United States is a Russian asset.— Grudgie the Whale (@Grudgie the Whale)1608396471.0
Trump being "respectful" of just one person in the world, and it being KGB mafia boss Putin, is even more incrimina… https://t.co/eijOBM6Dor— Garry Kasparov (@Garry Kasparov)1608397911.0
Just a little light treason to kick off the holiday week. https://t.co/uKL3EaC26K— Dr. Laura Seay (@Dr. Laura Seay)1608396807.0
mAyBe iT wAs cHinA (iT mAy)— Pwn All The Things (@Pwn All The Things)1608396425.0
