In an attempt to discredit recent reports that Russia offered bounties to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and he did nothing in response, President Donald Trump on Wednesday blasted the news media, claiming the reports were a “hoax” meant to make him look bad and damage him politically.
“The Russia Bounty story is just another made up by Fake News tale that is told only to damage me and the Republican Party,” Trump tweeted. “The secret source probably does not even exist, just like the story itself. If the discredited @nytimes has a source, reveal it. Just another HOAX!”
The president has used the same term to attempt to dismiss former special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, his own impeachment, and to criticize House Democrats for scrutinizing his response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump claimed in a subsequent tweet Wednesday morning that intelligence officials did not brief him on the matter “because any info that they may have had did not rise to that level.”
A number of Senate Republicans on Tuesday defended the president after being briefed and reiterated White House talking points that the media reports relied on unverified intelligence.
However, some Republicans have signaled they would continue to pursue information from the administration after being briefed while expressing concern over the situation.
“After today’s briefing with senior White House officials, we remain concerned about Russian activity in Afghanistan, including reports that they have targeted U.S. forces,” House Armed Services ranking member Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said Monday.
“We believe it is important to vigorously pursue any information related to Russia or any other country targeting our forces. Congress has no more important obligation than providing for the security of our nation and ensuring our forces have the resources they need. We anticipate further briefings on this issue in the coming days,” they said.
The Russia Bounty story is just another made up by Fake News tale that is told only to damage me and the Republican Party. The secret source probably does not even exist, just like the story itself. If the discredited @nytimes has a source, reveal it. Just another HOAX!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2020
